CHAPTER XXVI.
“A SINGULAR character!” said Professor Theobald.
“There is a lot of good in her,” Lady Engleton asserted.
Lord Engleton observed that people were always speaking ill of Mrs. Temperley, but he never could see that she was worse than her neighbours. She was cleverer; that might be her offence.
Madame Bertaux observed in her short, decisive way that Craddock Dene might have settled down with Mrs. Temperley peaceably enough, if it hadn’t been for her action about the schoolmistress’s child.
“Yes; that has offended everybody,” said Lady Engleton.
“What action was that?” asked Theobald, turning slowly towards his hostess.
“Oh, haven’t you heard? That really speaks well for this house. You can’t accuse us of gossip.”
Lady Engleton related the incident. “By the way, you must remember that poor woman, Professor. Don’t you know you were here at the school-feast that we gave one summer in the park, when all the children came and had tea and games, and you helped us so amiably to look after them?”
The Professor remembered the occasion perfectly.