Thus it came about that Mr Ffolliot was himself directly responsible for the friendly smile which greeted Eloquent as Mary passed him in the aisle of Redmarley church that evening.
She had not been allowed to put up her hair that evening. She was not a grown-up lady yet.
Therefore would she grin at whomsoever she pleased.
CHAPTER VII
THE KITTEN
The Kitten was born on a Whitsunday morning about eight o'clock. Mr Ffolliot went himself to announce the news to Ger, who was sitting in his high chair eating bread and milk at nursery breakfast. Ger was all alone with Thirza, the under-nurse, and he was thunderstruck to see his father at such an unusual hour, above all, in such an unusual place as his nursery.
"Ger," said Mr Ffolliot, quite genially for him, "you've got a new little sister."
Ger regarded his father solemnly with large, mournful eyes, then said aggrievedly, "Well, I can't help it."
Mr Ffolliot laughed. "You don't seem overjoyed," he remarked.
"Are you sorry, father?" Ger asked anxiously.