He smoothed his hair, which had got rather ruffled by the twins' struggles to escape him.
"Thank goodness that's over," he said with a short laugh. "Now I can look after you; I've arranged that we shall go to the flat this evening and dine there. There will be no need to come back to this house again."
The tone of his voice added, "Thank God," and Faith flushed sensitively.
"This house is good enough for me," she said quickly. "And I am not going to your flat."
He laughed.
"Silly child. I thought you liked it so much."
"I thought I did—then. I've changed my mind." She tried to pass him. "Please let me go; I want to speak to Peg."
The Beggar Man stood immovable.
"Peg is not in the house," he said quietly. "She is not coming back any more."
The colour drained from the girl's face; even her lips looked white, and the Beggar Man went on hurriedly and rather pathetically: