'Will they?' said Wych Hazel. 'Dr. Maryland and all? Mr.
Kingsland might stay behind. Nobody will ever want him.'
'All the rest have your good leave!' said Mr. Falkirk, with an expression—Wych could not tell what sort of an expression, it was so complicated. 'Do you think it is an easy office I have to fill?' he went on.
'Maybe not, sir. I thought you seemed very ready to give it up. I have felt like stray baggage to-day.'
'How do you suppose I am to guard you from so many enemies?'
'Ready to send me round the country, with the first knight- errant that starts up?' said the girl, in an aggrieved voice. 'And if I had proposed such a thing!'
'My dear,' said Mr. Falkirk, 'you would have been perfectly safe at Dr. Maryland's. And much better off than in this old mill. I am not sure but I ought to have made you go.'
'What do you mean by "enemies," just now, Mr. Falkirk?'
'There's an old proverb,' said Mr. Falkirk with a quirl of his lips, 'that "a cat may look at a king." And no doubt it is a queen's liability. But how am I to guard you from the teeth and the claws?'
'My dear sir, very few cats are dangerous. I am not much afraid of being scratched.'
'Have you any idea how many of your grimalkins are coming to
Chickaree this Summer?'