Sybil Kean laughed in spite of herself at the intense exasperation in his voice.
“My dear, it doesn’t do me any harm and, anyhow, I shall worry much less if I know that you have taken a hand in things. They really do need advice, Edward.”
“If you take my advice, you’ll keep out of the affair. Let them settle their troubles in their own way.”
“You don’t even know what their troubles are! Don’t be difficult, Edward!”
Lady Kean’s voice was very appealing. She did not often take this line with her husband, but when she did she almost invariably got her own way.
“Well, I want you to keep out of it, whatever it is,” he said curtly.
“Edward, John Leslie’s mother was a great friend of mine and she was extraordinarily kind to me as a girl. I really do owe her something and I am fond of both John and Cynthia. I can’t keep out of it and I am counting on you to stand by me. Be nice about it and come back as soon as you can.”
“Well, you haven’t told me yet what is the matter,” he temporized.
In as few words as possible she repeated all she had been able to learn from Cynthia, supplemented by the account of Dr. Gregg, who had turned up on a professional visit to Lady Kean on the day after the girl’s arrival. Kean heard her in silence and, for some moments after she had finished, made no comment. Then he gave vent to a muffled exclamation.
“What did you say?”