“It is their own brother,” said Jim. “This comes from Buszard’s.”
“R-R-Really,” said Miss Perry, with a doubtful roll of the letter R. “But those that Gobo brings me are larger.”
“They grow more than one size at Buszard’s,” said Jim. “Gobo is a bit of a duke, I dare say.”
“He is a duke,” said Miss Perry.
“If I were a duke,” said Jim, “I should bring you the large size. But as I am only Jim Lascelles who lives at Balham with his old mother, you will have to be content with the small ones.”
It may have been that Miss Perry was a little disappointed, because the small ones only meant a bite and a little one. But she contrived to conceal her disappointment very successfully. Although brought up in the country she had excellent breeding.
“Jim,” said Miss Perry, “where is Balham?”
“Quite a ducal question,” said Jim.
“Is it as far from London as London is from Slocum Magna?” said Miss Perry.
“I acquit you of arrière pensée,” said Jim. “Here is Lord Cheriton. You had better ask him where Balham is.”