"You are exceedingly good, Miss Lysle, and I am sure anything that her ladyship ordered should have my very best attention; in fact, I should make it my business to get in specially good things for her. If I might let you into a business secret, miss, the people round here don't want the very best things; they don't, so to speak, appreciate them."
"I quite understand that," said Aneta. "Of course Lady Lysle would require the very best."
"She should have the best, miss; I'd be proud of her custom. Things should be punctually delivered; just an order overnight, and my cart would convey them to her ladyship's door at an early hour on the following day."
"Then, perhaps, miss," said Mr. Martin, who saw brilliant prospects opening before him, and the possibility of a West End shop, a genuine West End shop, being his, as well as the profitable establishment at Shepherd's Bush, "her ladyship might be so kind as to recommend me to others."
"It is possible," said Aneta coldly; "but of course I can only speak for my aunt herself." Then she added, "And even for her I cannot quite speak, although I believe the matter can be arranged. I have given you a large order to-day."
"You have, Miss Lysle, and most faithfully will it be attended to."
Martin took out his red silk handkerchief and mopped his forehead.
"Now," said Aneta gently, "I haven't come here all the way from Aylmer House, and practically given up a day of my school-life, for nothing. I have come on behalf of another."
"Ho, ho!" said Martin, "so the cat's going to be let out of the bag."
Martin saw he had gone too far, and immediately apologized. "You will forgive my coarse way of expressing myself, miss. I know it isn't done in your circle."
"It doesn't matter," said Aneta. "I will come to the point at once. I am interested in Miss Howland."
"Ah! my little stepdaughter. I keep her at a fine, smart school, don't I? I do the knowing by her, don't I?"
"Well, all I want you to do in future--and I believe her mother will consent, for I have seen Mrs. Martin this morning"----
"You went to Laburnum Villa this morning? Tasty place, that, eh?"
"Yes, a very comfortable sort of house. My aunt, Lady Lysle, and I went together."
"I hope the neighbors saw," said Martin. "They'll come in shoals to see Little-sing after they've peeped at her ladyship's carriage."