"His mother lives at Beth--"

Lucas checked himself on the threshold of what was perhaps a
social indiscretion.

"Beth? Where is it? It sounds like Asia, Minor. Is she mixed up
with Consular people?"

"Oh, no. Her work lies among the poor."

This was a side-slip into truth. The mother of Adrian was
employed in a laundry.

"I see," said Mrs. Mebberley, "mission work of some sort. And
meanwhile the boy has no one to look after him. It's obviously my
duty to see that he doesn't come to harm. Bring him to call on
me."

"My dear Aunt Susan," expostulated Lucas, "I really know very
little about him. He may not be at all nice, you know, on further
acquaintance."

"He has delightful hair and a weak mouth. I shall take him with
me to Homburg or Cairo."

"It's the maddest thing I ever heard of," said Lucas angrily.

"Well, there is a strong strain of madness in our family. If you
haven't noticed it yourself all your friends must have."