"Minnie, I wish you'd put your hat on and run round to Mrs. Walker's
for me. I'll give you a message when you're ready."
Very willingly the girl rose and left the room. Mr. Gammon, whose
countenance had fallen, turned to the mother with jocose
remonstrance.
"Now I call that too bad. What did you want to go sending her away
for?"
"What does it matter?" was Mrs. Clover's reply, uttered
good-humouredly, but with some impatience. "The child doesn't want
to hear about rats and terriers."
"Child? I don't call her a child. Besides, you'd only to give me a
hint to talk of something else." He leaned forward, and softened his
voice to a note of earnest entreaty. "She won't be long, will she?"
"Oh, I dare say not!"
A light tap at the door called Mrs. Clover away. She whispered
outside with Minnie and returned smiling.
"Have you told her to be quick?"
Mrs. Clover did not answer the question. Sitting with her arms on
the round table she looked Mr. Gammon steadily in the face, and said
with decision
"Never you come here again after you've been to Dulwich!"
"Why not?"
"Never mind.
Pages:
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47