I'll come and fetch you from there.'
Conventional and restrained as Archie usually was, he sometimes said
curious things.
Edith saw by his dreamy expression he was going to say one now.
He looked at her for a little while after his father's departure and
then asked:
'Mother!'
'Yes, darling.'
'Is Madame Frabelle a nice little friend for father?'
Edith knew he had often heard her and the nurse or the governess
discussing whether certain children were nice little friends for him
or Dilly.
'Oh yes, dear, very nice.'
'Oh.'
The cook came in for orders.
'You're going to lunch all alone then, aren't you, Mother?'
'Yes, I suppose I must. I don't mind. I've got a nice book.'
Archie walked slowly to the door, then said in a tone of envious
admiration which contained a note of regret:
'I suppose you'll order a delicious pudding?'
* * * * *
She went to fetch the children, who were excited at the prospect of a
theatre. The elder Mrs Ottley was a pleasant woman, who understood and
was utterly devoted to her daughter-in-law. Fond as she was of her son,
she marvelled at Edith's patience and loved her as much as she loved
Bruce.
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