_Lady Maisie_ (_distantly_). My mother gets tired rather easily. (_To herself._) It's really too dreadful; he makes me hot all over! If he's going to do this kind of thing at Wyvern! And I'm more or less _responsible_ for him, too! I _must_ see if I can't---- It will be only kind. (_Aloud, nervously._) Mr.--Mr. Blair! _Spurrell._ Excuse me, my lady, not _Blair_--Spurrell. _Lady Maisie._ Of course, _how_ stupid of me. I knew it wasn't _really_ your name. Mr. _Spurrell_, then, you--you won't mind if I give you just one little hint, _will_ you? _Spurrell._ I shall take it kindly of your ladyship, whatever it is. _Lady Maisie_ (_more nervously still_). It's really such a trifle, but--but, in speaking to mamma or me, it isn't at all necessary to say "my lady" or "your ladyship." I--I mean, it sounds rather, well--_formal_, don't you know! _Spurrell_ (_to himself_). _She's_ going to be chummy now! (_Aloud._) I thought, on a first acquaintance, it was only manners. _Lady Maisie._ Oh--manners? yes, I--I dare say--but still--but still--_not_ at Wyvern, don't you know. If you like, you can call mamma "Lady Cantire," and me "Lady Maisie," now and then, and, of course, my aunt will be "Lady Culverin," but--but if there are other people staying in the house, you needn't call them _anything_, do you see? _Spurrell_ (_to himself_). I'm not likely to have the chance! (_Aloud._) Well, if you're sure they won't _mind_ it, because I'm not used to this sort of thing, so I put myself entirely in your hands,--for, of course, _you_ know what brought me down here? _Lady Maisie_ (_to herself_). He means my foolish letter! Oh, I must put a stop to _that_ at once! (_In a hurried undertone._) Yes--yes; I--I think I do I mean, I _do_ know--but--but _please_ forget it--_indeed_, you must! _Spurrell_ (_to himself_). Forget I've come down as a vet? The Culverins will take care I don't forget that! (_Aloud._) But, I say, it's all very well; but how _can_ I? Why, look here; I was told I was to come down here on purpose to---- _Lady Maisie_ (_on thorns_). I know--you needn't tell me! And _don't_ speak so loud! _Mamma_ might hear! _Spurrell_ (_puzzled_). What if she did? Why, I thought her la--your mother _knew_! _Lady Maisie_ (_to herself_). He actually thinks I should tell mamma! Oh, how _dense_ he is! (_Aloud._) Yes--yes--of _course_ she knows--but--but you might _wake_ her! And--and please don't allude to it again--to me or--or any one. (_To herself._) That I should have to beg him to be silent like this! But what can I _do_? Goodness only knows _what_ he mightn't say, if I don't warn him! _Spurrell_ (_nettled_). I don't mind _who_ knows. _I'm_ not ashamed of it, Lady Maisie--whatever you may be!