Lois's eyes were suddenly lifted, and then as suddenly lowered; she did not speak.
"I can read that," he said laughingly, for his eyes had caught the glance. "You mean, if I am so eager for chances, I might make them! Miss Lois, I do not know how."
"Come, Philip," said Mrs. Barclay, "you are making your character unnecessarily bad. I know you better than that. Think what you have done for me."
"I beg your pardon," said he. "Think what you have done for me. That score cannot be reckoned to my favour. Have no scruples, Miss Madge, about employing me. Though I believe Miss Lois thinks the good of this undertaking a doubtful one. How many children does your school number?"
"All together,—and they would be sure for once to be all together!—there are a hundred and fifty."
"Have you the names?"
"O, certainly."
"And ages—proximately?"
"Yes, that too."
"And you know something, I suppose, about many of them; something about their families and conditions?"