CHAPTER XXVIII

good.Henryfoundthewomandrunkonthelawn.Iamhavingaroomgotreadyforyouhere,andwillyoupleasecomeroundatonceongettingthis?TheBastsarenotatallthetypeweshouldtroubleabout.Imaygoroundtothemmyselfinthemorning,anddoanythingthatisfair. “M.” Inwritingthis,Margaretfeltthatshewasbeingpractical.SomethingmightbearrangedfortheBastslateron,buttheymustbesilencedforthemoment.ShehopedtoavoidaconversationbetweenthewomanandHelen.Sherangthebellforaservant,butnooneanswereditMr.WilcoxandtheWarringtonsweregonetobed,andthekitchenwasabandonedtoSaturnalia.ConsequentlyshewentovertotheGeorgeherself.Shedidnotenterthehotel,fordiscussionwouldhavebeenperilous,and,sayingthattheletterwasimportant,shegaveittothewaitress.AssherecrossedthesquareshesawHelenandMr.Bastlookingoutofthewindowofthecoffee-room,andfearedshewasalreadytoolate.HertaskwasnotyetoversheoughttotellHenrywhatshehaddone. Thiscameeasily,forshesawhiminthehall.Thenightwindhadbeenrattlingthepicturesagainstthewall,andthenoisehaddisturbedhim. “Who’sthere?”hecalled,quitethehouseholder. Margaretwalkedinandpasthim. “IhaveaskedHelentosleep,”shesaid.“Sheisbestheresodon’tlockthefront-door.” “Ithou