Nicholas thundered: "Have you no sense of decency, you young ruffian?"
Everyone began to talk at once. Wakefield listened, astonished yet not ill-pleased, as one who had sown the seed of a daisy and raised a fierce, thorny cactus. A caul. To think that one little word like that should raise this storm.
Finch sat down and rested his head on his hand.
Ernest looked across at him not unkindly. "You need never be afraid of the water," he said. "One who is born with a caul is never drowned."
Augusta asked of Wakefield: "But, my dear, however did you hear of such a thing?"
"Finch told me himself. I wish I'd got one!"
"So do I!" said Piers. "It seems a shame that Finch should have all the luck."
Pheasant could remain in doubt no longer. "But what are they?"
"One doesn't explain them," replied Augusta, looking down her nose.
Renny regarded Finch with no good eye. "I don't like your telling the youngster about such things. I don't like it at all. I'll have a word with you about this. Another cup of tea, Aunt, please."
Good appetite had attended all the Whiteoaks at dinner, but Finch had eaten as though famished. In spite of the fact that he was in acute disfavour, looked upon with suspicion and reproach, something inside him was ravening for food. He felt that if he could appease that something he might not feel so light-headed. But he rose from the table unsatisfied. . . . If only he could escape and hide himself in the woods! Press his hot forehead against the cool earth and his breast upon the pine needles! He made a stumbling effort to go into the hall instead of returning to the sitting-room with the others, but Nicholas laid a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Don't go away, boy. I should like to ask you a few questions."
"Yes," agreed Ernest, on his other side, "I should
