Page:Marie Adelaide Belloc Lowndes - The Lodger.djvu/202

Rh had to go. I wouldn’t like the house left—not with us out of it. Mr. Sleuth would be upset if there came a ring at the door."

"Oh, I won’t leave the house, don’t you be afraid, Ellen—not while you’re out."

"Not even if I’m out a good while, Bunting."

"No fear. Of course, you’ll be a long time if it’s your idea to see that doctor at Ealing?"

He looked at her questioningly, and Mrs. Bunting nodded. Somehow nodding didn’t seem as bad as speaking a lie.