“Never neglecting her studies for an instant!”
Esme came level with him and laid her hand on the door knob.
“Sometimes,” she began, “I think—I think—”
“No.”
“I think you are a very good little boy.”
She opened the door, but as quickly he closed it again.
“What do you mean by that?”
Her eyes rested on the pattern of the carpet. There was brighter colour on Wynne’s cheeks as he repeated:
“What do you mean by that?”
“Just what I said.” Her eyes were still lowered. “ ’Course I don’t blame you—some people are born good—some people can’t help it—some people aren’t plucky enough to be anything else.”