《两个魔法：螺丝在拧紧，覆盖结尾》

The girl’s regret struck her parent as an impertinence. “Why the dickens are you so late?” She protested against any such picture. “I walked up, you know, also, from the station—there’s such a lovely footpath across the park.” “You’ve been roaming the country then alone?” “Oh, dear no, not alone! There were ever so many people about.” “But where, among them all, is your trusty maid?” “I didn’t bring her.” “Wasn’t she to understand from the first that we don’t permit——” “Anything of that sort? Oh, yes, papa—I thought she did.” “What on earth’s the matter with her?” “I really don’t quite know, but I think that at Granny’s she eats too much.” “I’ll soon put an end to that!”

She had by this begun a little to find her feet. “Exactly as I came, papa dear—under the protection of a new friend I’ve just made, a lady whom I met in the train and who is also going back by the 6.19.” Mr. Prodmore chilled any such expectations. “What does she want at this place?” “She wants to see it.” “Today won’t do.” “So I suggested. But do you know what she said?” “How should I know what a nobody says?” “She’s not a nobody. She’s an American.” Mr. Prodmore, for a moment, was struck. “An American?” “Yes, and she’s wild——” “Americans mostly are!” “I mean, wild to see this place. ‘Wild’ was what she herself called it—and I think she also said she was ‘mad.’” “She gave a fine account of herself! But she won’t do.”

“When she does arrive, I’ll tackle her; and I shall thank you, in future, not to take up, in trains, with indelicate women of whom you know nothing.” “Oh, I did know something, for I saw her yesterday at Bellborough.” “And what was she doing at Bellborough?” “Staying at the Blue Dragon, to see the old abbey. She just loves old abbeys. It seems to be the same feeling that brought her over, today, to see this old house.” “She just loves old houses? Then why the deuce didn’t she accompany you properly, since she is so pushing, to the door?” “Because she went off in a fly to see, first, the old hospital. She just loves old hospitals. She asked me if this isn’t a show-house. I told her I hadn’t the least idea.” “It is!” Mr. Prodmore cried almost with ferocity. “I wonder, on such a speech, what she thought of you!”

Miss Prodmore meditated with distinct humbleness. “I know. She told me.” “That you’re really a hopeless frump?” “That I’m not, as she rather funnily called it, a show-girl.” “Think of your having to be reminded—by the very strangers you pick up—of what my daughter should pre-eminently be! Your friend is evidently loud.” “Well, when she comes, you’ll certainly hear her. But don’t judge her, papa, till you do. She’s tremendously clever.” “And there seems to be nothing you do! I’m expecting Captain Yule.”