"I've admired you sufficiently," said Lallie. "I will now devote my attention to the dear Cripps' tie," and she turned round on the stool, once more leant her back against Tony's knees, and the busy needles went to click again.
"I'd finish those papers if I were you," she suggested, "and then we can talk, or play picquet, or I'll sing to you, whichever you prefer."
"You," said Tony sedately, "must go to bed almost directly."
"Which means that you can't work in this room, and that I worry you, poor dear; but I'll go, and I'll be down to breakfast to-morrow and pour out your coffee for you. I know just how you like it--don't I?"
Lallie rose from her stool, looking, as she always contrived to do, far taller than she really was, in her clinging green draperies.
"You'll let me give tea to some boys to-morrow, won't you? Paddy said you always have chaps to tea in the drawing-room on Sundays, and precious dull it is with Miss Foster; but to-morrow it won't be dull--you just see how I'll entertain them. I think I'd like the nice boys who were dining with you when I came. They'll do for a start."
"We'll see what can be done," said Tony, with unaccountable meekness. "Good-night, my child; sleep well."
He held the door open for her, and she passed out, only pausing on the threshold to remark:
"There! I've never attempted to kiss you; I'll get quite used to it soon!"
CHAPTER VI