He became aware that Mrs. Pett was addressing him.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Quite like old times,” said Mrs. Pett genially.  Her suspicions had vanished completely since Lord Wisbeach’s recognition of the visitor, and remorse that she should have suspected him made her unwontedly amiable.  “Being with Skinner again,” she explained.  “It must remind you of London.”

Jimmy caught his father’s expressionless eye.

“Skinner’s,” he said handsomely, “is a character one cannot help but respect.  His nature expands before one like some beautiful flower.”

The dish rocked in Mr. Crocker’s hand, but his face remained impassive.

“There is no vice in Skinner,” proceeded Jimmy.  “His heart is the heart of a little child.”

Mrs. Pett looked at this paragon of the virtues in rather a startled way.  She had an uncomfortable feeling that she was being laughed at.  She began to dislike Jimmy again.

“For many years Skinner has been a father to me,” said Jimmy.  “Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, Or kiss the place to make it well?  Skinner.”

For all her suspense, Ann could not help warming towards an accomplice who carried off an unnerving situation with such a flourish.  She had always regarded herself with a fair degree of complacency as possessed of no mean stock of courage and resource, but she could not have spoken then without betraying her anxiety.  She thought highly of Jimmy, but all the same she could not help wishing that he would not make himself quite so conspicuous.  Perhaps—­the thought chilled her—­perhaps he was creating quite a new Jimmy Crocker, a character which would cause Skinner and Lord Wisbeach to doubt the evidence of their eyes and begin to suspect the truth.  She wished she could warn him to simmer down, but the table was a large one and he and she were at opposite ends of it.

Jimmy, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying himself.  He felt that he was being the little ray of sunshine about the home and making a good impression.  He was completely happy.  He liked the food, he liked seeing his father buttle, and he liked these amazing freaks who were, it appeared, fellow-inmates with him of this highly desirable residence.  He wished that old Mr. Pett could have been present.  He had conceived a great affection for Mr. Pett, and registered a mental resolve to lose no time in weaning him from his distressing habit of allowing the office to interfere with his pleasures.  He was planning a little trip to the Polo Grounds, in which Mr. Pett, his father, and a number of pop bottles were to be his companions, when his reverie was interrupted by a sudden cessation of the buzz of talk.  He looked up from his plate, to find the entire company regarding Willie Partridge open-mouthed.  Willie, with gleaming eyes, was gazing at a small test-tube which he had produced from his pocket and placed beside his plate.