“I have occasionally, after a fashion. I am sure I should like to learn.”
“I shall be delighted to teach you. It would be a great pleasure, really.”
He looked as if it would be a pleasure. Frances smiled.
“Thank you so much,” she said. “You and I and Mr. Knowles will have a threesome.”
Judson's joy at her acceptance was tempered, it seemed to me.
“Oh, of course,” he said. “It will be a great pleasure to have your uncle with us. A great pleasure, of course.”
“My—uncle?”
“Why, yes—Mr. Knowles, you know. By the way, Miss Morley—excuse my mentioning it, but I notice you always address your uncle as Mr. Knowles. That seems a bit curious, if you'll pardon my saying so. A bit distant and—er—formal to our English habit. Do all nieces and nephews in your country do that? Is it an American custom?”
Hephzy and I looked at each other and my “niece” looked at both of us. I could feel the blood tingling in my cheeks and forehead.
“Is it an American custom?” repeated Mr. Judson.