Margery sat down. She got quite red.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" she demanded.
"'Cos I was breaking it to you gently, like they do accidents," I answered calmly.
Suddenly Margery began to laugh hysterically. She pressed her palms against her cheeks and laughed and laughed. Then she said:—
"John, you're a most extraordinary boy."
I thought so too, but I said, modestly—"Oh, well. Somebody had to do it." Then, in the flush of my triumph I remembered Mrs. Handsomebody. "But, oh, I say, I must be going! And—please—would it matter much if we were here to see him come home? We'd be very quiet."
Margery looked relieved. "I believe it would help—" she said. "It will be rather difficult. Yes, do come. Ask your governess if you may spend an hour with Uncle and me between your tea and bedtime. And, oh, John, that muffin looks wretchedly lonely."
Outside, I divided the spoils with Angel.
"Well—" he demanded, his mouth full of muffin—"shewanimbagagen?"
"Rather," I cried, joyously. "I managed the whole thing. And we're to be there at seven to see him come."