"No, no. You had better stay. You may help us. I suppose you know all about it."
Septimus's heart sank. He knew what "it" meant.
"Yes, Sypher knows. I told him."
"But why didn't you tell me, dear Septimus, instead of letting me hear of it from mother and Cousin Jane? I don't think it was loyal to me."
"I forgot," said Septimus in desperation. "You see, I sometimes remember it and sometimes forget it. I'm not used to getting married. Wiggleswick has been married several times. He was giving me a lot of advice this morning."
"Anyhow, it's true?" asked Zora, disregarding Wiggleswick.
"Oh, yes! You see, my ungovernable temper—"
"Your what?"
It was no use. On receiving the announcement she looked just as he had expected her to look. He tried to stammer out his catalogue of infamies, but failed. She burst out laughing, and Sypher, who knew all and was anxiously wondering how to save the situation, laughed too.
"My poor, dear Septimus," she said kindly, "I don't believe a word of it. The woman who couldn't get on with you must be a virago. I don't care whether she's my own sister or not, she is treating you abominably."