“Nothing else to do,” I replied.
She regarded me steadily for a while.
“I hope he hasn’t hypnotised us,” she said. “Seems to me he’s only got to lift a finger and we walk after him like lambs!”
“Rather amusing, though, after all,” I observed. “Adds variety to life. He may have something quite exciting in store for us to-day.”
“Oh, well,” she said. “If you like to be led about like a performing bear—however, here he is!”
Parslewe and breakfast came together. He had evidently been down to the bookstall to buy a financial paper, and he sat, grim and fixed of expression, as he ate and drank, and read figures and statistics. It was not until he had made an end of his food that he betrayed any particular consciousness of our presence. Then, laying down his paper, he bent across the table to his ward, favouring her with one of his charming smiles.
“Well, my dear,” he said, “did you buy all that you wanted yesterday afternoon?”
“Yes,” replied Madrasia, promptly, “I did.”
“Enough to last you till you get home?” he continued.
“Quite!” said Madrasia.