“Yes, but most of the people round here,” he said simply, “know us, an’ so it wun’t be much use.”
“There’s someone new come to The Limes,” said Henry, “I heard my mother talkin’ about them.”
“So did I mine,” said Douglas, “he’s an artist.”
“Oh, yes,” said William, “so did I mine. An’ he’s got a daughter what’s the most beautiful girl what Robert’s ever seen.”
“Well, let’s try him,” said Ginger, “he oughter want someone to look after his clothes or drive his car or nurse him when he’s queer in the head or something. Who’ll try him? I votes William does first.”
“All right,” said William who was always ready for any fresh adventure. “I’ll go straight off now ’fore he gets anyone else.”
William entered the garden gate of The Limes and looked cautiously around him. There was no one in sight. The building was a long, low one with French windows opening straight on to the garden.
William was furtively exploring this in order to see how the land lay before venturing up to the front door when a voice called out:
“Boy! Hi! Come here!”
A man had suddenly appeared at one of the downstair windows and was beckoning to him.