“Never mind that,” said Colin. “Come on out of this, Step. We need air.”
“I think we had better go and talk to Father,” said Henry. “It’s beastly to leave him alone in there. Come on you two.”
The three boys went out together. Roberta was left in the dining-room with Mike.
“I suppose you’re not interested in Hornby trains,” said Mike with an unconvincing air of casualness.
“I’d like to see yours,” said Roberta.
“We could play with it now, of course. It’s in the passage in 26. That’s if you’d like it.”
“Aren’t there rather a lot of people about?” hedged Roberta lamely. “I mean aunts and people.”
“Well, of course I could bring it here. I’m allowed. Shall I, Robin? Shall I bring my Hornby in here?”
“Yes, do.”
Mike ran to the door but there he hesitated. He looked rather a solemn, pale little boy. “I say,” he said, “as a matter of fact I think Uncle Gabriel’s pretty ghastly.”