I won't have it," said the duke firmly.
"Me?
It's you! You've done it already!" cried the duchess, with a sudden note of astonishment in her voice.
The duke shook his head, and with a smile of superior knowledge said firmly: "It won't do, Caroline.

It's no good your trying it on." The duchess gasped: "What do you mean?
What _do_ you mean ?" she cried; and her tone was now all astonishment.
The Honourable John Ruffin created a diversion by saying: "As far as I can make out this is a private matter; and little pitchers have long ears.

Come along, little pitchers." And he was sweeping Pollyooly and Ronald off the lawn.
The duchess glared at him, and stopped them for a moment with the words: "Is this your doing, John ?" "Heavens, no! Osterley is the originator, and organiser, and perpetrator of the whole arrangement," he cried over his shoulder in a tone which carried conviction; and he vanished with the children.
The duchess turned and glared again at the duke, as if she could not believe her eyes; she looked almost as if she saw him for the first time.
"Sit down and have some tea.

You must be wanting it," said the duke firmly; and he began to pour it out.
The duchess sat down, with a somewhat helpless air, still staring at him.

Matters seemed to be going differently from what she had expected.