The watch-chain went
from the waist-coat button to one pocket only, instead of right
across, and one finger wore a heavy signet-ring that bore the family
crest. It was obviously the figure of an overworked official in the
Civil Service who had returned from its daily routine in London to the
evening routine of its family in the country, the atmosphere of
Government and the Underground still hanging round it. For sundry
whiffs of the mysterious city reached the children's nostrils,
bringing thrills of some strange, remote reality they had never known
at first-hand. They busied themselves at once. While Tim unbuttoned
the severe black coat and pulled it off, Judy brought a jacket of
dingy tweed from behind a curtain in the corner, and stood on a chair
to help the figure put it on. All knew their duties; the performance
went like clockwork. And Maria sat and watched in helpful silence.
There was a certain air about her as though she did it all.
"How they do spoil me, to be sure," the figure murmured to itself;
"yet Mother's always saying that _I_ spoil them. I wonder...!"
"Now you look decent at last," said Judy.
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