their father; you must wait till you see him. And how are you
to explain this escapade? I can't have the children taught to lie.'

'They have been taught _that_ lesson already.'

'I don't think they are aware of it,' said Merton.

Miss Blossom stared.

'I can't explain, but you must find a way of keeping them out of a
scrape.'

'I think I can manage it,' said Miss Blossom demurely.

'I hope so. And manage, if you please, to see this Miss Limmer and
observe what kind of person she is,' said Merton, with his hand on the
door handle, adding, 'Please ask Dr. Maitland to come here, and do you
keep the children amused for a moment.'

Miss Blossom nodded and left the room; there was laughter in the other
chamber. Presently Maitland joined Merton.

'Look here,' said Merton, 'we must be rapid. These children are being
cruelly ill-treated and deny it. Will you get into talk with the boy,
and ask him if he is fond of his governess, say "Miss Limmer," and notice
what he says and how he says it? Then we must pack them away.'

'All right,' said Maitland.

They returned to the children. Miss Blossom retreated to the inner room.
Bats simplified matters by falling asleep in the client's chair. Maitland
began by talking about schools. Was Tommy going to Eton?

Tommy did not know. He had a governess at home.

'Not at a preparatory school yet? A big fellow like you?'

Tommy said that he would like to go to school, but they would not send
him.

'Why not?'

Tommy hesitated, blushed, and ended by saying that they didn't think it
safe, as he walked in his sleep.

'You will soon grow out of that,' said Maitland, 'but it is not very safe
at school. A boy I knew was found sound asleep on the roof at school.'

'He might have fallen off,' said Tommy.

'Yes. That's why your people keep you at home. But in a year or two you
will be all right. Know any Latin yet?'

Tommy said that Miss Limmer taught him Latin.

'Are you and she great friends?'

Tommy's face and voice altered as before, while he mechanically repeated
the tale of the mutual affection which linked him with Miss Limmer.

'_That's_ all very jolly,' said Maitland.

'Now, Tommy,' said Merton, 'we must waken Batsy, and Miss Blossom is
going to take you both home. Hope we shall often meet.'

He called Miss Blossom; Batsy kissed both of her new friends. Merton
conducted the party to the cab, and settled, in spite of Tommy's
remonstrances, with the