‘Not?’
She smiled to herself, struck with a fancy.
‘Perhaps she’s a fairy, Julian.’
As she said it she grew suddenly thoughtful; for it had flashed upon her that perhaps that was the explanation of Roddy; perhaps he was a fairy, and in that case it was no use—he would never....
‘A fairy. I never thought of that.’ He mused, pleased with the idea. ‘You know it must mean something, that nobody’s ever suggested giving her a petit nom, or curtailing the mouthful; she’s always been Mariella.’
He began humming a little tune in his contentment. Quickly she said:
‘Just to go back to Peter. You don’t mean it, do you? Why should he be wretched? Think of the things you can teach him. You know you’ll love that.’
He looked a trifle dashed; but after a moment his face cleared again, and his eyes smiled kindly at her.
‘Don’t worry. At all events, I’ll see he’s not ill-treated—except in my own way. That is, if she’ll let me. She will. She’s very good-tempered, I must say. She’s never allowed me to quarrel with her. She well might have.’
He looked like brooding again; but seeing her gazing at him anxiously, added: