Page:The Prime Minister by Hall Caine.djvu/158

134  Another of the customs of Freda's country, it seems. Ah, Christmas is the children's festival! Isn't it pitiful to think that even in the enemy country children as young and innocent as our Peggy may have said a prayer for peace to-night.

 [A little uneasily.] H'm—yes! [Having finished his letters touches a bell attached to desk.  in khaki, enters by lower door, R.  hands him the letter-basket.  goes out as he came.] [Rising.] Has Freda any friends to call upon, think you?  None whatever. Except ourselves she hasn't a friend in London. But don't be afraid. Freda is a quiet, modest, unassuming girl, but she's quite capable of taking care of herself, dear.  [Back to fire.] Our little darling is very fond of her, isn't she?  She loves her. We all do.

 And yet I seem to remember that when she came here first——

 Oh yes, I know, I thought it was taking a risk to engage somebody we had never seen and knew