When they were started upon undressing she came back.

"You're going to let me see you tub them?" Bob asked her.

Busy replacing toys in cupboards, she did not reply.

"You're not angry, are you?"

She gave him no answer.

Bob Chater discarded the laugh from his tone. "If you are angry, I'm
very sorry. You must have known I was only fooling. It was only to
make the kids laugh."

So far as was possible she kept her back to him.

The continued slight pricked him. His voice hardened. "When I have the
grace to apologise, I think you might have the grace to accept it."

Mary said in low tones: "If you meant only to make them laugh, of
course I believe you. It is all right."

"Good. Well, now, may I see them tubbed?"

"I have told you I would rather not."

"Dash it all, Miss Humfray, you're rather unkind, aren't, you? Here
have I been away nearly two years--I've been travelling on the
Continent for the firm-you know that, don't you?"