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“Miss Ware,” he continued, “I need a secretary at my offices – should be glad if you would take my affairs to hand. You will find more scope for your abilities down there. I have intended to ask you for some time back; and will you do me the honour to remain as my guest here until you find rooms that please you?.”
Noel smiled again. “Thank you for your offer,” she said. “The first I am delighted to accept; but for the second. I think I will go to my brother, Colonel Ware, who lives quite near.”
There was a strange silence then.
At last the Dilettante spoke.
“Colonel Ware your brother?”
“Your brother!” echoed Marmaduke, his mouth dropping open.
“My brother,” said Noel, looking from one to the other in surprise.
“Oh, if I had only known.” Cried the Dilettante. “Marmaduke, you must apologise. I must apologise. We all must apologise. Oh! Let us apologise! Oh Miss Ware, my dear Miss Ware, why did you not tell us?”
“What difference does it make?” she asked.
The Dilettante was nonplussed at that; she could not answer.
“You must stay with us, dear Miss Ware.” Was all she could say.
“I shall most certainly not,” said Noel. “You saw nothing unjust or illbred in your treatment of a girl working for her living. I do not choose to accept a change of attitude because you have discovered that I am of good social standing. Mr Merritt, at what time shall I be at your office in the morning?”
“I should not like to dictate –“began the little man, nervous once more.
“Please treat me as you would otherwise have done,” implored Noel. “I would infinitely rather be considered as a girl who tries to justify her existence by working, than as one who can have all she wants without lifting a finger to get it.”
“Ten o’clock, then please.” He held out his hand.
Noel shook it warmly. She held hers out to Marmaduke, but he was sulking, and ignored it. “Jolly low down trick, I swear it is,” he muttered.
The Dilettante grasped at the offered hand, however, with both her own fat ones.
“Oh! Do you think I might call at the Grange now you are there, Miss Ware? I have always wanted to know the Wares, and if you would give me an invitation, I should be so grateful.”
Noel was disgusted.
“My brother sees very few people,” she said.
“But I may call,” insisted the Dilettante.
“If you choose,” said Noel, and left them.
The Blackburn Weekly Telegraph, 16th May 1914
Transcribed by Philip Crompton