Mrs. Chichester rose in astonishment: "I?"
Alaric arose in anger: "My mother?"
Ethel quietly pulled "Pet's" ear and waited.
Mr. Hawkes went on quietly:
"Mr. Kingsnorth said, 'he would be sure at least of his niece having a strict up-bringing in the best traditions of the Kingsnorths, and that though his sister Monica was somewhat narrow and conventional in ideas'—I use his own words—'still he felt sure she was eminently fitted to undertake such a charge.' There—you have the whole object of my visit. Now—will you undertake the training of the young lady?"
"I never heard of such a thing!" cried Mrs. Chichester furiously.
"Ridiculous!" said Ethel calmly.
"Tush and nonsense," with which Alaric dismissed the whole matter.
"Then I may take it you refuse?" queried the astonished lawyer.
"Absolutely!" from Mrs. Chichester.