But he was in a captious mood; and he did not wish to oblige her.

His mind was chiefly full of the fact that he had made himself look foolish by kidnapping her and had had to pay her six pounds compensation.

He was still sore about the foolishness and also about the money, for his was a thrifty soul.
But Pollyooly's angel face made a direct refusal difficult.

He coughed and said: "I--er--don't--er--do things in this--er--irregular way.
My--er--nominations are--er--only given after I have been approached in the proper way and received testimonials and--er--sifted them out so as to nominate the most deserving orphan among the many applicants for admission." "There couldn't be a more deserving orphan than Millie," said Pollyooly quickly.
"That remains to be proved.

There are often fifty or sixty applicants.
And besides, this isn't the time of year when vacancies in the home are filled up," said the duke, hardening himself in his resistance, now that he could throw the odium of it on to the machinery of the home.
Pollyooly's face had fallen, for her instinct told her that he did not intend to grant her petition, and was only making excuses.