When the girl was installed beside him on the sofa, and he had felt that little thrill of warmth the proximity of youth can bring, he said:
“Been a good girl?”
She shook her head.
“Can't, when Jock's not at school. Mother can't pay for him this term.”
Hearing his name, the boy Jock blew his ocarina till Mrs. Larne drove him from the room, and Phyllis went on:
“He's more awful than anything you can think of. Was my dad at all like him, Guardy? Mother's always so mysterious about him. I suppose you knew him well.”
Old Heythorp, incapable of confusion, answered stolidly:
“Not very.”
“Who was his father? I don't believe even mother knows.”
“Man about town in my day.”