Chapter 40

Spotty - faced , argumentative Stanley , and conceit of himself . Why , he was not even a gentleman ! Lucy found her way along the bewildering corridors and down the broad staircase ; there were huge fires burning in the hall , and the dogs rose up from the hearth to greet her . As she stood hesitating on the bottom step the door of the library opened and Donald came out . "

I've told you I'm not in to anyone this afternoon , Miss Patterson . Why will you not take my orders ? ' Maurice Tredego spoke in an irritable tone and moved the papers about on his desk in search of the one he wanted . There is never anything where I've left it ! he grumbled . ' Lord knows what the firm pays you for . " Peroxide - haired Miss Patterson went very red ; she would not take from anyone else what she took without protest from Mr Maurice , but it was unfair to blame her when he'd made all the disorder himself . Still , it was no good trying to point that out to him .

I'm sorry , sir ,