She had watched the
development of the intrigue; her attitude to the master of the house was
composed of pity, patronage, and a rather motherly interest. She did not
see how her mistress could avoid her attitude: it was precisely the
attitude that she would herself have adopted in that position, but,
nevertheless, she was sorry for the man. "So out of it as he is!" Her
maternal feelings were uppermost now. "It's nice of the child," she
thought, "and him so ugly."
"Of course, sir," she said.
"We shall be back in about an hour." He attempted an easy indifference,
was conscious that he failed, and blushed.
He was aware that his wife was out.
He carried off his prize.
The gardens were very full on this lovely summer morning, but Nancy,
without any embarrassment or confusion, took charge of the proceedings.
"Where are we going?" he said, gazing rather helplessly about him,
feeling extremely shy. There were so many bold children--so many bolder
nurses; even the birds on the trees seemed to deride him, and a stumpy
fox-terrier puppy stood with its four legs planted wide barking at him.
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