“You think so?” said the redoubtable Caroline. “That decides me. That man must be taught a lesson. Cheriton, have the goodness to ring the bell.”
Cheriton showed genuine concern.
“Surely, Caroline,” said he, “you cannot mean that you are going to destroy it?”
“That is my intention.”
“Oh, but surely,” said Cheriton, “it would be nothing short of a crime. There is no other word to use.”
“It is going to be done,” said Caroline Crewkerne.
“But the young fellow has put many hours of fine work into that picture,” said Cheriton, with great seriousness, “and fine thought in it too. It would be a crime.”
“If a man has no manners he must be taught them,” said the implacable Caroline.
“The kettle is invariably the severest judge of the pot,” said Cheriton, in a whimsical aside. “Really, Caroline, you began it,” said he.
“The man began it by painting my niece’s portrait without obtaining my permission. Not content with abusing my hospitality, he must show insolence when remonstrated with.”