Perkins instantly made a gesture of assent. “Whatever you ask,” he said eagerly.
“It's very little. Please don't be curious, and don't allow your mother or the servants to enter the library while I am up-stairs.” Perkins seemed mystified and she added: “Some one is there, some one I would rather not have you see.”
At this his face cleared. He made haste to say, “I shall do exactly as you ask. Nobody shall enter the library until you are willing that they should.”
“Thank you so very much.” And she vanished up the stairs.
Perkins glared fixedly at the library door, his freckled features assuming a belligerent expression.
Margaret returned immediately and came down the stairs quite breathless.
“Shall I stay here and keep the rest away until he goes, you know?” he asked.
She gave him a thankful glance, and he added:
“There, don't you worry. No one shall disturb you.”
He held open the door as he spoke and shut it carefully after her, so that no portion of a conversation clearly not for him should find its way to his ears.