‘Of course it does.’ Minnie was angry and her nose had grown sharper. ‘It’s such a pity,’ she went on with exactly the same intonation as Campion had used about Luke. ‘I saw that snail about a week ago when he started. It had a sort of design about it and the idea was there. But he’s simplified and simplified, saying in effect “I shan’t tell ’em this, I shan’t tell ’em that,” till he’s painted out the whole thing. Oh he is a trying chap. Besides,’ she added seriously, ‘you never know, someone might have bought it, and they could do with the money. Emma’s been working for me like a black all through the year, but she hasn’t earned very much. They wouldn’t stand for it.’
‘Who is “they”?’ murmured Mr Campion involuntarily.
Minnie looked at him. ‘Oh, people,’ she said vaguely. ‘Well boys, it
