"We must talk a little.

Please sit down, sir." The three sat down, Percy on one side, and the husband and wife on a straight-backed settle opposite.
The girl began again.
"This must be arranged at once," she said, "but we must have no tragedy.
Oliver, do you understand?
You must not make a scene.

Leave this to me." She spoke with a curious gaiety; and Percy to his astonishment saw that she was quite sincere: there was not the hint of cynicism.
"Oliver, my dear," she said again, "don't mouth like that! It is all perfectly right.

I am going to manage this." Percy saw a venomous look directed at him by the man; the girl saw it too, moving her strong humorous eyes from one to the other.

She put her hand on his knee.
"Oliver, attend! Don't look at this gentleman so bitterly.