'I beg your pardon,' said he stiffly. 'Whom have I the honour——'
'I am Salome Cusworth, who telegraphed to you.'
He bowed haughtily. 'I am glad.'
Then Salome, abashed, caught her sister's hand, and said to Mrs. Sidebottom: 'Oh, please, let me take Janet away first—she knows nothing, and you must allow me to break the terrible news to her myself.'
She drew her sister aside, with her arm round her waist, into a room on the ground-floor, where she could tell her privately the great sorrow that had fallen on them.
Philip looked inquiringly after them, and when the door had closed, said to his aunt: 'Who are they? What are they?'
'You may well ask,' said Mrs. Sidebottom. 'They are the petted and spoiled daughters of your uncle's housekeeper. He has brought them up beyond their station, and now they will be unfit to do anything when turned adrift.'
'But,' said Philip, 'one is married.'
'Oh yes, of course. She has caught her man. I know nothing of her husband, or how he was tackled. I dare say, however, he is respectable, but only a manufacturer.'
'And the unmarried sister is Salome.'