The moment I imitate the man with the German
accent she begins to cry. She says she doesn't like me to do it. She
says she can't bear me to. Then she goes and tells Miss Townsend I
slapped her, and Miss Townsend blames me.'
'Then you shouldn't have slapped her; it was horrid of you; you ought
to remember she's a little girl and weaker than you.'
'I did remember...'
'Oh, Archie!'
'Well, I'll make it up if she begs my pardon; not unless she does I
sha'n't,' said Archie magnanimously.
'I shall certainly not allow her to do anything of the kind.'
At this moment Dilly came in, with her finger in her tiny mouth, and
went up to Archie, drawling with a pout, and in a whining voice:
'I didn't mean to.'
Archie beamed at once.
'That's all right, Dilly,' he said forgivingly.
Then he turned to his mother.
'Mother, have you got that paper?'
'Yes, I have indeed!'
'Well, cross out--that, and put in Aspasia Matilda Ottley. Sorry,
Dilly!' He kissed her, and they ran off together hand in hand; looking
like cherubs, and laughing musically.
CHAPTER IX
Aylmer
At the Carlton Aylmer had easily persuaded Bruce and Edith to dine with
him next day, although they were engaged to the elder Mrs Ottley
already. He said he expected two or three friends, and he convinced
them they must come too. It is only in London that people meet for the
first time at a friend's house, and then, if they take to each other,
practically live together for weeks after.
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