“You mean her tongue?”
“Yes, that is active too,” said Miss Burden, rather dolefully.
“It is rather late in the day for her to learn to bridle it. But if she won’t, so much the worse for her.”
“Sir Wotherspoon finds her a rather trying patient, I am afraid.”
“If he does not,” said Cheriton, “he is either less than human or he is more.”
Cheriton afforded Miss Burden and Miss Perry the privilege of his society at luncheon. He proposed that they should spend the afternoon at the sale of work in aid of Saint Agatha’s, Balham. Miss Perry was charmed with the idea. Miss Burden shared her delight, yet doubted sorely whether her services could be dispensed with. However, with the exercise of a little diplomacy, she learned that they could, as not only was the Duke of Brancaster returning at four o’clock, but her ladyship’s lawyer also.
“Her lawyer!” exclaimed Cheriton. “What the dooce does she want with him?”
My lord seemed not a little perturbed by the coming of that ominous personage.
“I wonder if that old woman is capable of playing me a trick?” he mused.
His speculations upon this subject were many on his way to the sale of work at Balham. Considered in conjunction with the assiduity of George Betterton, the coming of the lawyer was unquestionably a sinister omen.