“Before they come, Cæsar, I’m going to ask you a favour,” she said coaxingly, “now you are in a good temper again.”
“Was I in a bad one?”
“Dreadful. It mustn’t reoccur. It is such a bad example for the children.” 68
“The favour, please; bother the children.”
“Cæsar, I’m ashamed of you. Bless them, you meant to say. Well, the favour. Aymer, I am going to start a crêche in Winchester near the big clothing factory. I’ve talked to the Bishop and he quite approves. I know just the house, but I shall have to buy it, and I haven’t enough money for that. I can run it easily if I can only get the premises. What will you subscribe?”
“I haven’t any money at all,” he replied gravely. “Vespasian takes it all and I don’t think he’d approve of crêches, not being a family man.”
“Vespasian, indeed.” She tilted her chin in the air as Aymer meant her to do, a trifle too much, and the effect was spoilt, but he was well practised in obtaining the exact tilt he admired.
“You can ask him, of course.”
“Very likely I will: in the meantime what will you give me?”
“Half a crown. No; five whole shillings, if I have it,” he said teasingly.