“Certenly, certenly” replied the good Mr. Withersq.
“Then you might try talking in that boomy voice we use” Gerald took up the tale, “and try and look a bit fed up with things, you know, but that isnt really all, for you simply must be a bit of a toff at something or other and then the baronesses will notice and remember who you are which is the great idear.”
“With pleasure” replied Selia with a hiccup from the stout she had had, “but what had I better do? I am only a simple girl, and know very little.”
“What do you say to that?” Mr. Withersq asked the brothers with a scratch at his nose, “I hardly know what to suggest myself.”
“Do you sing?” Gerald asked.
“No” said Selia dully.
[53] “Cant you do anything besides play the piano?” asked Mr. Withersq.
“Oh! The piano! Dont ever let anyone know you can play that!” warned Gerald. “That is a very low thing to do. The banjo or the cello if you like but not the rotten piano!”
“Let us think,” said Mr. Withersq. “What would be the best thing for her to do?”
“Well now, let us think then” agreed the brothers Majpottel tipping back their chairs. “There is politics but it would be too long before she got in the cabinet and perhaps also she would never get in at all. She cant very well go in for science, seeing she doesn’t know any, she cant very well become a painter nor even a dressmaker because she dont know how to dress herself. I dont really know what she can do.”