“I don’t wonder. I was so sorry for her the other night.”
“Did you loathe her? Your face looked as if you did.”
“Nothing of the kind! But if I ever get a chance of doing that brute Bowser some injury I’ll—— And the people she was with——? I beg your pardon, but that young lady who was in charge of you both—wasn’t it her business to prevent Miss Vero-Taylor’s good-nature being imposed upon?”
He meant Aunt Gerty, of course. I made up my mind in a second what was best to do for the best of all.
“Oh, that person,” said I. “She wasn’t anything to do with us. Miss Gertrude Jenynge, playing at the Saloon Theatre, I believe?”
“I think that your sister should not be allowed to go to places like that alone.”
“Why, I was with her!”
“What earthly good are you, you small elf?” asked Simon seriously and kindly, smiling down at me. “I wish to goodness my sister——”
I know what he meant. That he wished he could persuade Almeria to take to Ariadne and boss her about. But he didn’t say it. He is so prim and reserved about his family. He simply asked to be remembered to Ariadne, and that he was going to stay with some people at a place called Henderland in Northumberland.
“Henderland,” said I, “that’s near where Christina lives.”