Winston, proving quite indifferent to this appeal, was presented to Lady Waring and Lydia in turn to be tickled behind the ear and Matron took him away.
Lady Waring looked at Lydia.
“I suppose Sir Harry told you at teatime,” said Lady Waring.
“Yes, he did, but he must have told you first,” said Lydia, not wishing to appear the earlier recipient of Sir Harry’s confidence.
“And apparently Selina third,” said Lady Waring, laughing, a thing she so rarely did, in spite of herself. “I must find out about this.”
She rang the bell. As a rule Selina was very prompt to answer, but this evening she delayed so long that Lady Waring rang again. Selina then appeared, on the verge of tears.
“Was it for the papers, my lady?” she said in a choked voice. “They haven’t come yet.”
“What is the matter,
