Chapter 21

“More as if she were talking to herself than to me. Indeed, Mother, all the time I was talking to her she gave me the impression of not really listening. And that wasn’t all. When I finally decided that what I was saying had no influence over her I begged her, when Cecil came next week, not to say anything queer before him, at least. Mother, what do you think she said?” “I’m sure I can’t imagine,” groaned Aunt Wellington, prepared for anything. “She said, ‘I’d rather like to shock Cecil. His mouth is too red for a …