‘They have been taught that lesson already.’

‘I don’t think they are aware of it,’ said Merton.

Miss Blossom stared.

’I can’t explain, but you must find a way of keeping them out of a scrape.’

‘I think I can manage it,’ said Miss Blossom demurely.

’I hope so.  And manage, if you please, to see this Miss Limmer and observe what kind of person she is,’ said Merton, with his hand on the door handle, adding, ’Please ask Dr. Maitland to come here, and do you keep the children amused for a moment.’

Miss Blossom nodded and left the room; there was laughter in the other chamber.  Presently Maitland joined Merton.

‘Look here,’ said Merton, ’we must be rapid.  These children are being cruelly ill-treated and deny it.  Will you get into talk with the boy, and ask him if he is fond of his governess, say “Miss Limmer,” and notice what he says and how he says it?  Then we must pack them away.’

‘All right,’ said Maitland.

They returned to the children.  Miss Blossom retreated to the inner room.  Bats simplified matters by falling asleep in the client’s chair.  Maitland began by talking about schools.  Was Tommy going to Eton?

Tommy did not know.  He had a governess at home.

‘Not at a preparatory school yet?  A big fellow like you?’

Tommy said that he would like to go to school, but they would not send him.

‘Why not?’

Tommy hesitated, blushed, and ended by saying that they didn’t think it safe, as he walked in his sleep.

‘You will soon grow out of that,’ said Maitland, ’but it is not very safe at school.  A boy I knew was found sound asleep on the roof at school.’

‘He might have fallen off,’ said Tommy.

’Yes.  That’s why your people keep you at home.  But in a year or two you will be all right.  Know any Latin yet?’

Tommy said that Miss Limmer taught him Latin.

‘Are you and she great friends?’

Tommy’s face and voice altered as before, while he mechanically repeated the tale of the mutual affection which linked him with Miss Limmer.

‘That’s all very jolly,’ said Maitland.

‘Now, Tommy,’ said Merton, ’we must waken Batsy, and Miss Blossom is going to take you both home.  Hope we shall often meet.’

He called Miss Blossom; Batsy kissed both of her new friends.  Merton conducted the party to the cab, and settled, in spite of Tommy’s remonstrances, with the cabman, who made a good thing of it, and nodded when told to drive away as soon as he had deposited his charges at their door.  Then Merton led Maitland upstairs and offered him a cigar.

‘What do you think of it?’ he asked.

‘Common post-hypnotic suggestion by the governess,’ said Maitland.

’I guessed as much, but can it really be worked like that?  You are not chaffing?’