They followed the masterful lady obediently into the room indicated.
“And now, Mr. Robinson,” she said, with her hands on her hips, “now for your explanation.”
“I have explained to Matilda,” said Flower, waving his hand.
“That’s quite right, mar,” said Miss Tipping, nodding briskly.
“He’s had a dreadful time, poor feller,” said Dick Tipping, unctuously. “He’s been hunted all over England by—who was it, Mister Robinson?”
“The parties I’m working against,” said Flower, repressing his choler by a strong effort.
“The parties he’s working against,” repeated Mr. Tipping.
“Somebody ought to talk to them parties,” said Mr. Porson, speaking with much deliberation, “that is, if they can find ’em.”
“They want looking after, that’s what they want,” said Dick Tipping, with a leer.
“It’s all very well for you to make fun of it,” said Mrs. Tipping, raising her voice. “I like plain, straightforward dealing folk myself. I don’t under-stand nothing about your secret services and Governments and all that sort of thing. Mr. Robinson, have you come back prepared to marry my daughter? Because, if you ain’t, we want to know why not.”