Page:Keeping the Peace.pdf/289

 Edward's hands were all a mess with oil and emery powder. He had been cleaning the rust from the pair of Revolutionary sabers that John had always valued so highly.

"John always kept them bright till he went to sea," he said. "After that I took care of them. And I thought I'd better have one more whack at the old things."

"I don't like to interrupt," said Mr. Eaton, "but there are ladies below who demand your presence. Your mother and Mrs. Ludlow."

"The Mrs. Ludlow?"

"The very woman!"

"She used to be rather good looking."

"I should have said opulent looking—opulent in its physical rather than its financial sense."

"What do they want with me?"

Mr. Eaton wrinkled up his eyes and smiled. "The last lion that ventured into Mrs. Ludlow's drawing-room never came out. She is said to have devoured him alive."

"But" Then Edward broke into a broad grin. "Am I a lion? Me? Has she never seen a lion so very little that she had pity for it?"

"Never!" said Mr. Eaton.

Edward finished washing his hands and said that he would be down in a minute.

"Thank you," said his father. At the door he