Frederica was so obviously horrified by, and slightly ashamed of, Mrs. Wells’ and Rosaleen’s attitude that they would be welcome almost anywhere, and at Farthing Hall they were surely entitled to a welcome.But even Lucille seemed to think it odd that the hard-headed businessman who had been her employer for several years should be willing to pay their hotel bill until the old lodge-keeper’s cottage was in a condition to receive them, and issue them invitations to dine at the Hall.For one thing, Lucille would have to do the cooking ... and Frederica received the distinct impression that she might be inclined to jib at that.“I haven’t seen your sister yet,” she remarked, “and I haven’t seen your mother. But between them they must have something—something that you and I haven’t got, and which makes a massive impression!”Frederica agreed with her not altogether happily.“Oh, yes, they’ve got something ... and I’ve seen it work rather well before,” she admitted.But what she was secretly thinking was that, if she herself was included in the dinner invitation, and she was not allowed to turn it down, how would Lucille react to that?
