‘I suppose so,’ Alice says, so timidly that Fanny is encouraged to be bold.
‘The poor miss, it will be a bit trying for her just at first.’
Alice is taken aback.
‘I hadn’t thought of that, Robert.’
Robert thinks it time to take command.
‘Fiddle-de-dee. Bring your mistress a cup of tea, my girl.’
‘Yes, sir. Here is the tea-caddy, ma’am. I can’t take the responsibility; but this is the key.’
‘Robert,’ Alice says falteringly. ‘I daren’t break into Amy’s caddy. She mightn’t like it. I can wait.’
‘Rubbish. Give me the key.’ Even Fanny cannot but admire the Colonel as he breaks into the caddy.
‘That makes me feel I’m master of my own house already. Don’t stare at me, girl, as if I was a housebreaker.’