Bob wagged his head to and fro.
"Why, what about?" he asked.
"At your not returning, sir," said his lordship. "You treated me and Lord Bradstock, I regret to say, with great disrespect."
"I'm very sorry," said Bob, "but I couldn't help it. Pen—Oh, Lord! there's granny!"
The duchess intervened.
"Robert, where is Penelope?"
Bob hesitated.
"Gone to—t-to London for Paris and Marseilles and Australia," said Bob, hurriedly. "She said she couldn't wait, but had an appointment there somewhere. And she said I was to say she was sorry if any one called."
"Robert," said the duchess, severely, "do not keep your eyes fixed upon the distant landscape. Look me in the face. Are you speaking the truth?"
Bob wriggled and shuffled.