"Er—John."
"Right-o! I shall call you Jack. And now, Jack, I want to ask you something. What are you doing driving a motor-car?"
"Jack" regarded his mistress with some apprehension.
"Why shouldn't I drive a motor-car?" he asked, rather defiantly.
"Why? Because you're a gentleman. Bless you, dear boy, do you think I didn't spot that long ago? What was it—debts?"
"Debts" seemed to meet the requirements of the situation without unduly straining the truth, so Pip nodded.
"Ah!" said Miss Lottingar sympathetically; "I know. We have been that way all our lives in our family."
Pip thought of Broadoak Manor and its present proprietor, and felt no surprise.
"Dad has lived on his wits ever since I can remember," continued Miss Lottingar. "I suppose you see what sort of a customer he is?" she added, in a sudden burst of candour.
Pip nodded again. "I think I do," he said.