Mr. Bott started.
“You?” he repeated in amazement.
“Yeth, father, ith me.”
“But, but—God bless my soul——” he ejaculated peering at the unfamiliar apparition. “It’s impossible.”
Then he rang for Violet Elizabeth’s nurse.
“Is this Violet Elizabeth?” he said.
“Yeth, ith me,” said Violet Elizabeth again.
Violet Elizabeth’s nurse pushed back the tangle of hair.
“Oh, the poor poor child!” she cried. “The poor child!”
“God bless my soul,” said Mr. Bott again. “Take her away. I don’t know what you do to her, but do it and don’t let her mother see her till it’s done, and you boys stay here.”