“Of course not, my little gentleman,” said the girl. “Leah is the one who ought to do that. Now, if anyone could be got to run round to the Queen Anne wing, Leah would soon put matters straight. I’d go myself, but there’s such a heap to be done that I really haven’t a single moment.”
“Hester, stop talking there and come and help us,” said Jacob from the other end of the room.
“Yes, Jacob, I’m coming. Please, Master Murray, would you help us, sir?”
“If I can. Do you want me to go to the Queen Anne wing?”
“Oh, sir, if you only would.”
“But I am never allowed to go there.”
“That don’t matter, sir, on an occasion like the present.” Hester slipped her hand into her pocket as she spoke. “Here is the key of the little postern gate in the garden,” she said, lowering her voice. “You know the Queen Anne garden, of course, Master Murray?”
“Of course I do,” answered Murray.
“Will you go there now, sir? You can open the postern gate easily; then you have only to run across the garden, and tap with your knuckles on the back door. Leah will be there to hear, for she is expecting me round with a bit of supper presently. I promised I would bring her over a trayful. Go, Master Murray, be quick, tell her what I said.”