Barnard, no mean musician, struck several chords and stopped. “I am afraid the piano wants tuning.”
“Oh, the man must have left without finishing his work,” she exclaimed.
“Probably went to get his lunch; here are his tuning-fork and kit.” Barnard picked up the instruments. “Only two or three notes are below pitch, perhaps I can put them right.”
“Do try,” she begged, and Barnard obediently struck the tuning-fork.
Janet’s belief that her “not at home” message would send Mrs. J. Calhoun-Cooper away, was not well founded. Henderson’s information caused that determined matron to hesitate for a second only, then she inquired for Mr. Calderon Fordyce.
“Ask him if he will see me for a few moments on a matter of importance,” she added, detecting the footman’s embarrassment.
“Wouldn’t Miss Langdon do?” he ventured.
“Certainly not,” and somewhat overawed by her air of authority, he showed her and Pauline into the reception-room and went to tell his master of their presence.
“Asked for me personally, Henderson?” questioned Calderon Fordyce, examining the visiting-cards attentively.
“Yes, sir; Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper declared Miss Langdon would not do; that she had to see you on a matter of importance, sir.”