“Oh, no. Her work lies among the poor.”

This was a sideslip into truth. The mother of Adrian was employed in a laundry.

“I see,” said Mrs. Mebberley, “mission work of some sort. And meanwhile the boy has no one to look after him. It’s obviously my duty to see that he doesn’t come to harm. Bring him to call on me.”

“My dear Aunt Susan,” expostulated Lucas, “I really know very little about him. He may not be at all nice, you know, on further acquaintance.”

“He has delightful hair and a weak mouth. I shall take him with me to Homburg or Cairo.”

“It’s the maddest thing I ever heard of,” said Lucas angrily.