Doria, Jaffery and I looked at one another in mutual and dismayed comprehension.
"Old pal," quoted Doria.
I glanced apprehensively across the strip of lawn.

"I hope, for his sake, he's not calling Barbara 'old girl.'" "He calls everybody funny names," Susan chimed in.

"See what a lot he called me." "Does your Royal Fairy Highness approve of him ?" asked Jaffery.
"I should think so, Uncle Jaff," she replied fervently.

"He's--he's _marvelious_!" "He is," said Jaffery, "and even that jewel of language doesn't express him." "My dear," said I, "you stick close to him all day, as long as mummy will let you." I have never got the credit I deserved for the serene wisdom of that suggestion.

All through lunch, all through the long afternoon until it was Susan's bedtime, her obedience to my command saved over and over again a tense situation.