I comforted him, I smoothed down his ruffled feathers. She had behaved very badly, but he was quite right; he must try not to show how much he disapproved of her. And of course she would never come again⁠—that was obvious. And then suddenly I began to laugh. He looked up at me indignantly.

Is there a joke?’ he said coldly.

I laughed gently again.

“I was just thinking,” I said, “that it would be rather amusing if you⁠—well, had your revenge.”

“My revenge? How do you mean?”

“Well, paid her back in her own coin.”

“Do you mean try and frighten her?”

“No, no; but dressed up and pulled her leg a bit. Made her look a fool in front of the others.” I laughed to myself again. “Serve her jolly well right.”