"Really!" said Saltash. "Would it be rude to ask what you were saying?"

Bunny's thin face flushed. "You're welcome to know so far as I'm
concerned," he said bluntly. "I always stick up for you, Charlie."

"Do you? _Mais vraiment!_" protested Saltash. "I am touched beyond words.
And what says Brother Jake to that?"

"Oh, Jake says I'm an ass, but he's quite decent about you,
Charlie,--rather fond of you in fact. Don't run away with that idea!"
begged Bunny, turning still redder. "Only people jaw a lot about you, you
know. No one ever can be content to mind their own business."

"He'd be a fool who was," said Saltash. "There's no such thing as
independent action in this world. We all hang to each other like swarming
bees. So you've been sticking up for me, have you? And what says Sister
Maud?"

Bunny broke into a sudden laugh. "Oh, she's decided to reserve judgment.
You'll have to come and see her. You really must. And the kids too--four
of 'em now. The eldest is a darling."

"Eileen! Oh, I know Eileen," said Saltash. "I was actually allowed to
have her to tea once at the Castle. I am not supposed to have such a
venomous effect upon quite small girls as upon young men of two or three
and twenty."

"Oh, shut up!" Bunny growled again. "There's Jake, look! Come and speak
to him!"