She went into the dining-room and, sitting down in an armchair began to read again.
After a short interval William followed and taking the armchair opposite hers, continued:
“He says, Ethel, that he’s deep in love with you and that he doesn’t mind you bein’ so bad-tempered. He likes it. Anyway he ’spects he’ll get used to it. He says he’ adores you jus’ like what people do on the pictures. He puts his hand on his stomach and rolls his eyes whenever he thinks of you. He says——”
“Will—you—be—quiet?” said Ethel angrily.
“No, but jus’ listen, Ethel,” pleaded William. “He says——”
Ethel flounced out of the room. She went to the morning-room, locked the door, and, sitting down with her back to the window, continued to read. After a few minutes came the sound of the window’s being cautiously opened and William appeared behind her chair.
“I say, Ethel, when I saw Mr. March he said——”
Ethel gave a scream.
“If you mention that man’s name to me once more, William, I’ll—I’ll tell father that you’ve been eating the grapes in the hot-house.”
It was a random shot but with a boy of William’s many activities such random shots generally found their mark.