“I put it down to all the trouble he’s been through. I never resent it. Now I ought really to have got out a holiday tutor for you.”
“Oh, I say, after I’ve swotted my head off all these months! A chap needs some rest if he’s to do himself justice, hang it, mater, now!”
“I know all about that!”
She looked at him shrewdly, and he smiled on one side of his mouth.
“Go on, mater!”
“But having Mr. Leith here I thought I wouldn’t do that. Mr. Leith’s awfully fond of boys, and it seemed to me you might do him more good than any one else could.”
“Well, I’m blowed! D’you really think so?”
Jimmy came over and sat on the arm of her chair, blowing rings of smoke cleverly over her lovely little head.
“Put me up to it, mater, there’s a good girl. I’m awfully keen on Mr. Leith, as you know. He’s got the biggest biceps I ever saw, and I’m jolly sorry for him. What can I do? Put me up to it.”
And Mrs. Clarke proceeded to put Jimmy up to it. She had told Dion that Jimmy wouldn’t see the difference in him. Now she carefully prepared Jimmy to face that difference, and gave him his cue for the part she wished him to play. Jimmy felt very important as he listened to her explanations, trifling seriously with his cigarette, and looking very worldly-wise.