Evidently he didn't suspect who she was--yet.
"What are you going to do ?" she managed to ask.
"Stay right here with you, my sisters, and in due time we'll go ahead with our game as per previous specifications." He surveyed the high, paneled dining-room, sumptuous, distinguished even in the semi-dusk.
"Cozy little flat, eh, my dears ?" Suddenly that wide mouth of his slipped up to one side, and he laughed in exultant, impish glee.
"Say, isn't this the funniest ever! Beats my plan a mile.

We'll make ourselves at home--hang out together for the summer in Mrs.De Peyster's own house,--_her own house_,--and when we hear she's coming back we vacate and then do our little act of buying out the stores in Lady De Peyster's name.

Was there ever such a lark!" For a moment his low laugh of wild glee cut off his speech.

"What's more, it's the safest place in the world for us.

Nobody'd ever think of our being here!" Mrs.De Peyster stared at Matilda, Matilda stared at Mrs.De Peyster.
"And it's just what I needed," continued Mr.Pyecroft in amicable confidence.