Page:The Lark - E Nesbit, 1922.djvu/70

Rh "We've had that," said Jane, beaming at him. And again he said, "Butter!" But he said it quite gently.

When he was gone the two girls fell into each other's arms.

"Who says we weren't born under a lucky star?" said Lucilla, rocking to and fro with her head on Jane's lean shoulder.

"Yes; but," said Jane, "it's all turned out very well as it happens, but what about your young man with the nice face? Treacherous dog! He must have gone straight away and told the old gentleman."

"He didn't look as if he would," said Lucilla. "Perhaps he found out in some other way."

"That's so likely, isn't it? Put not your trust in young men with nice, kind faces, Lucy. Well, I'm only thankful that we found him out in time."

"In time?"

"Yes. Mr. James Rochester might have called later on, after we'd received that nice, kind-faced young viper and given him tea and cake and gratitude and cream sandwiches. Whereas now! . . . Just tell Mrs. Doveton we're not at home to anyone, will you, Luce?"

"But surely you'll give him an opportunity to . . ."

"To what? To tell us that he deceived us? Give him the chance to do it again? Not much. If you like to see him and listen to his lies, do. I'll go to my room."

She moved on the sofa as if to get up.

"Oh, don't!" said Lucilla. "Of course I'll do as you like. But I don't care what you say—I believe it's somehow not his fault."

"If it's any comfort to you to believe it, go on believing by all means. Meantime tell Mrs. Doveton. Death to all traitors. If you can't behead them you can at least cut them dead."

Thus it happened that the helpful young man with the nice, kind face, coming to call on two ladies from whom he had parted on quite friendly terms, was met at the door by a neat,