Читать книгу Mrs. Gailey онлайн

48 страница из 78

"Through one of her friends—Miss Dunning, I think."

Nicholas snorted. "That's Lesley all over. She'll take the recommendation of a woman who knows nothing about anything, just because she calls herself her friend. I bet you that secretary's no good. She'll be like the Dunning woman and all the rest of 'em, just a hanger-on, out for what she can get."

"Poor Lesley likes anyone who likes her and is kind and friendly."

"Well, we like her, don't we? And aren't we kind and friendly?"

"Perhaps we lecture her too much."

Here the Cheynells were interrupted by the necessity of having to clear away the food they had eaten and fetch the next course from the kitchen. When they had sat down again and the pudding was on their plates, Nicholas said, "I think Iris might have asked us to dinner instead of just to come in afterwards. She knows we have no cook and that it would be nice for you to have an evening with nothing to do."

"My dear, you know I love cooking; and Iris really finds it more difficult to have guests than we do, as Mrs. Ashplant won't always stand for anyone extra in the dining room. I'm often thankful we haven't anybody and can do as we like."