The latter part of her sentence was meant for a hint, I thought, and I was all the more favourably inclined towards her in consequence. At anyrate we were amongst honest people.
'Is—Marian in the house now?' inquired Lilian. 'May I see her?'
Once more I noticed the reluctance in Mrs Pratt's face, as she replied: 'Yes, Miss; I'll go and tell her.'
'No; please do not tell her; let me introduce myself.'
Mrs Pratt consented; and to be quite honest with us, did not leave the room. Standing at the open door, she called out: 'Miss Reed—Marian, dear!'
No reply.
'Marian, dear, will you please come down for a few minutes?'
'What for?' called out a voice from some upper chamber.
'Somebody wants to see you, dear.'
I heard a word which seemed very much like 'Bother!' and a sound as of a book thrown down. Then there was a somewhat heavy and leisurely tread descending the stairs.