He found that lady sitting in her chair knitting. Pippa was curled up on the hearthrug, the red silk tightly swathing her slim body. A pair of shoes and stockings of Sally’s, many sizes too big for her, covered her feet. She was watching Miss Mason with the eyes of an adoring puppy.
She scrambled to her feet as she saw Barnabas.
“Ah!” she cried, a note of great pleasure in her voice. “It is ze so sunny Monsieur. I wis you good morning.”
Barnabas came over and stood on the hearthrug.
“I’m just off,” he said.
“I knew you’d look in,” said Miss Mason. “I waited for you before going out to buy garments.”
“Going away?” asked Pippa, looking at him with troubled eyes. She had had experience of people who went away and did not return.
“Only for a few days, and mainly on business which concerns you, little one,” he replied.
Pippa gave a relieved sigh.
“Come back ver’ quick,” she said. And then suddenly: “What is your name?”