When sitter and painter returned to the house Cheriton was discovered reading “La Chartreuse de Parme” aloud to Miss Burden and Jim’s mother.
“Now we must fly,” said Miss Burden. “I tremble to think of what will happen.”
“I shall make what apologies I can for you,” said Cheriton. “I suppose we shall have to plead guilty to finding the polo at Hurlingham very absorbing.”
An invitation to partake of pot-luck was declined reluctantly. Miss Burden was genuinely alarmed. However, the three distinguished visitors left the Acacias with the request that they might come again.
CHAPTER XX
MISS PERRY HAS HER PALM CROSSED WITH SILVER
MISS BURDEN was subjected to severe treatment on her return to Hill Street. She was forbidden to go to Hurlingham again during the rest of the season. The faithful gentlewoman felt very guilty. She bent her head before the torrent of abuse, which, wholly contrary to the doctor’s orders, was showered upon her. All the same, Miss Burden felt herself to be privy to a romance. The visit to Balham comprised elements which compensated her for the persecution to which she was subjected.
Sir Wotherspoon Ogle, old Lady Crewkerne’s medical adviser, was strongly of opinion that abuse is not good for laryngitis. But, as we already know, the arbitrary patient of that distinguished physician not only despised the clergy, but also had a poor opinion of the medical profession.
“Lady Crewkerne,” Sir Wotherspoon had said, “do not speak for three days.”
“Rubbish!” said that old woman, in a husky wheeze.
“I will not answer for the consequences,” said Sir Wotherspoon.