“That is what I often say,” remarked Mrs. Ormson.
“But still there are some most unpleasant smells in London,” observed Mrs. Black, feebly.
“In Bermondsey, for instance,” added Bessie.
“All healthy,” persisted Mr. Black. “Now, in the country, people breathe poison without knowing what they are swallowing. What is called pure air is very like sparkling water; it seems so because it is full of the seeds of disease, because it is literally laden with decomposition and——”
“The eight o’clock express stops at Palinsbridge, uncle,” suggested Bessie at this point. “You might catch it if you were to sit up all night, and start away from here, say, at five o’clock in the morning. I should not stay another day in the country, if I were you.”
“Well put in, Bessie; but I won’t take your advice for all that,” said Mr. Black, good humouredly. “I have come down here meaning to enjoy myself, and to make a complete holiday of it.”
“I should have thought you might have compassed both ends, by spending a day at the British Museum,” remarked Miss Ormson.
“How sharp you have got, Bessie, my dear,” ventured Mrs. Black. “Is it anything in the air, I wonder?”
“If it be, it is to be hoped you will take it,” observed her husband. At which speech Mr. Black laughed and Mrs. Ormson laughed, while Heather looked at her guests, blankly wondering how she was to preserve peace amongst them.
“Gilbert will soon be down to keep Bessie in order,” remarked Mrs. Ormson.