The Charm School
thing she wants," she said. "So few of us have."
"What?" cried Miss Curtis, "young, pretty, rich, charming— Don't you think she's charming, Mr. Bevans?"
"She seems a very sweet child," Austin began, rather wildly, when a servant came in to say that two ladies were in the reception-room, asking to see him. They had not given their names.
"Parents," said Miss Curtis, looking alarmed.
"New applicants," said Miss Hayes, hopefully.
"Come with me while I talk to them," said Austin. Surrounded as it were by his staff, he entered the reception-room to find Mrs. Rolles and Susie.
"Will you take pity on us, dear Mr. Bevans?" said Mrs. Rolles, all graciousness. "The motor broke down not a mile away, and we thought of you at once. What a charming view you have here," she added to Miss Curtis, "and such attractive buildings," she threw out to Miss Hayes. "Will you give us some dinner, Mr. Bevans, or is that too much to ask?"
"Of course, delighted." He turned to Miss Curtis. "We'll all three dine in the school,
[ 140 ]
