rygoodandsometimesyouseepeoplewhoarequitewelldressed.”
Berthadidnotanswer,andMissLey,seeingherwishtoacceptandatthesametimeherhesitation,suggestedthatsheshouldcomeforafewweeks,wellknowingthatawoman’svisitisapttospinitselfoutforanindeterminatetime.
“I’msorryIshan’thaveroomforEdwardtoo,”saidMissLey,smilingdrily,“butmyflatisverysmall,youknow.”
TheyhadbeensettledafewdaysintheflatatEliotMansions,whenBertha,comingintobreakfastonemorning,foundMissLeyinagreatstateofsuppressedamusement.Shewasquiveringlikeanuncoiledspringandshepeckedathertoastandatheregginabirdlikemanner,whichBerthaknewcouldonlymeanthatsomeonehadmadeafoolofhimself,tothegreatentertainmentofheraunt.Berthabegantolaugh.
“GoodHeavens,”shecried,“whathashappened?”
“Mydear—aterriblecatastrophe.”MissLeyrepressedasmile,buthereyesgleamedanddancedasthoughshewereayoungwoman.“Youdon’tknowGeraldVaudrey,doyou?Butyouknowwhoheis.”
“Ibelievehe’sacousinofmine.”
Bertha’sfather,whomadeapracticeofquarrellingwithallhisrelations,hadfoundinGeneralVaudreyabrother-in-lawasirascibleashimselfsothatthetwofamilieshadneverbeenonspeakingterm.
“I’vejusthadaletterfromhismothertosaythathe’sbeen—er,philanderingratherviolentlywithhermaid,andthey’reallindespair.Themaidhasbeensentawayinhysterics,hismotherandhissisterareintears,andtheGeneral’sinapassionandsayshewon’thavetheboyinhishouseanotherday.Andthelittlewretchisonlynineteen.Disgraceful,isn’tit?”
“Disgraceful!”saidBertha,smiling.“IwonderwhatthereisinaFrenchmaidthatsmallboysshouldinvariablymakelovetoher.”
“Oh,mydear,ifyouonlysawmysister’smaid.She’sfortyifshe’saday,andhercomplexionislikeparchmentverymuchtheworseforwear....ButtheawfulpartofitisthatyourAuntBettybeseechesmetolookaftertheboy.He’sgoingtoFloridainamonth,andmeanwhilehe’stostayinLondon.Now,whatIwanttoknow,ishowamItokeepadissoluteinfantoutofmischief.Isitthesortofthingthatonewouldexpectofme?”
MissLeywavedherarmswithcomicdesperati