“What did Lucette do with it, do you know?”
The question was beyond Maudie, however, and she could only reiterate:
“Want Lucette! Want my balloon!”
“Did Lucette have many friends here in this country, do you think?” McCarty gave it up at last and addressed the housemaid, who fortunately did not note that he voiced his query in the past tense.
“No, she hasn’t. She’s got plenty of followers, if that’s what you mean, but she’s real sensible for such a young thing and don’t bother with them. She would not have gone in Mr. Orbit’s house if that Hughes had been alive, though; she hated the sight of him and small blame to her!”
McCarty chuckled.
“He was a gay lad, from all accounts! But I guess there are others that Lucette hates too, eh? She’s kind of afraid of somebody, isn’t she?”
“Not that I know of!” The woman tossed her head as she caught up the protesting Maudie once more. “I’ve no call to be talking about her to a stranger, anyway! Get along with your nonsense!”
McCarty laughed again good-naturedly.
“A bit of gossip does no harm! But we’ve work to do, Denny and me. Good-by, Maudie!”