As I do not enjoy a staccato conversation, I remained politely silent, inviting her by my attitude to speak.
“I rather wonder, Marcus,” she said at last, “at your referring to Dora.”
“Indeed? May I ask why?”
“May I speak plainly?”
“I beseech you.”
“I have heard of you at Etretat with your ward.”
“Well?” I asked.
“Verbum sap,” said my aunt.
“And you have let Mrs. Ralph and Rosalie know of my summer holiday and given them to understand that I am a monster of depravity. I am exceedingly obliged to you. I have just met Rosalie in the street, and she shrank from me as if I were the reincarnation of original sin.”
“I have no doubt that in her innocent mind you are,” replied my Aunt Jessica.