“Yes, Miss?”
“What was the matter with — his eye?”
The network of threadlike veins across Baskett’s cheekbones started out against his bleached skin. The glasses on the tray jingled.
“I shouldn’t worry about it, Miss. You’ll only upset yourself.”
He opened the drawing-room door and stood aside for her to go in.
II
The Lampreys were nice to Roberta. She kept saying to herself, they are nice to think about me. Henry gave her a glass of sherry and Charlot said what a help she had been. They were all very quiet and seemed to listen attentively for something to happen. Charlot had just left Lady Wutherwood who was lying on her bed. She was no longer hysterical and had asked for Tinkerton. Roberta took Tinkerton to the door of the room and then rejoined the others. Nanny came in and in the usual way dragooned Mike off to bed. Charlot asked Patch to go with Nanny and Mike.
“But, Mummy—” Patch began — “it’s hours before my bedtime. Can’t I—”
“Please be with Mike, Patch.”
“All right.”