The old lady fixed her eyeglass with polar coolness.
“So I perceive,” said she.
She looked Jim over as if he himself were a masterpiece by Gainsborough, and without making any comment she and Ponto withdrew from the blue drawing-room.
“A singularly disagreeable and ill-bred old woman,” said Jim, who had the unfortunate habit of speaking his mind freely on all occasions.
“Aunt Caroline is rather reserved with strangers,” said Miss Perry, “but she is a dear, really.”
“She is not a dear at all,” said Jim Lascelles, “and she’s not a bit like one. She is just a proud, disagreeable, and unmannerly old woman.”
Miss Perry looked genuinely concerned. For Jim Lascelles was angry, and she felt herself to be personally responsible for Aunt Caroline. However, there was one resource left for the hour of affliction.
“Would you like to see Tobias?” said she. “I’ve got him with me. I will fetch the sweet.”
“What, is that ferret still alive?” said Jim. “My hat!” And then as Miss Perry moved to the drawing-room door, said James, “Oh no, you don’t. Come back and sit there on the sofa if it is quite up to your weight, and I will show you how to paint a picture.”
“What fun!” cried Miss Perry, returning obediently. “Do you remember teaching me how to draw cows?”