"Listen to her, James," he said banteringly. "Her conscience is troubling her. She knows that it's hard to speak well of her. Isn't that it, scamp? Confess now!"
Clodagh had again passed round the table; and, having thrown her whip and cap into a chair, had seated herself without ceremony in the vacant place that awaited her.
"Indeed it isn't!" she replied with immense unconcern. But an instant later she repeated her question.
"What was it, father? Can't you tell me?"
Asshlin lifted his glass and studied the light through his sherry.
"Ah now, listen to her, James!" he exclaimed again delightedly. "And women will tell you they aren't inquisitive."
Clodagh flushed.
The little sister, seeing the flush, was suddenly moved to assert herself.
"'Twasn't anything, Clo," she said quickly. "He only said you were a scallywag."
Then, as all eyes turned in her direction, she subsided abruptly into confused silence.