"What can possess her to bark at the peacocks?" said Helen. "Be quiet, Topsy."
But Topsy refused to be tranquillized.
"She is barking at something below the terrace; perhaps there is a cat there," said Denis.
"If so, it would be Dutch courage, indeed," answered Helen, laughing. They went to the edge of the stone parapet and looked over; there stood Tommy Daintree below them, among the hollyhocks.
"Why, little boy, who are you, and what do you want? Why, are you not Mr. Daintree's little boy?"
"Yes."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"I want to give a note to Captain Kynaston," said Tommy, crimson with confusion. "Is he ever coming in?"
"He is in now; give me the note."
"I was to give it to himself, to nobody else."