“It’s a thousand pities it won’t be called for,” sighed Mrs. Bolton, who was helping. “Though cradles like that are out of date nowadays.”

“It might be called for. I might have a child,” said Connie casually, as if saying she might have a new hat.

“You mean if anything happened to Sir Clifford!” stammered Mrs. Bolton.

“No! I mean as things are. It’s only muscular paralysis with Sir Clifford⁠—it doesn’t affect him ,” said Connie, lying as naturally as breathing.