The Little Nugget | Page 6

Ogden.'
The colour came back into Mrs Ford's cheeks.
'Why, of course.'
Cynthia opened the door.
'Come in, darling,' said Mrs Ford fondly. And a wiry little man with
grey hair and spectacles entered.
'Good afternoon, Mrs Ford,' he said. 'I have come to take Ogden back.'

II
There are some situations in life so unexpected, so trying, that, as far as
concerns our opinion of those subjected to them, we agree, as it were,
not to count them; we refuse to allow the victim's behaviour in
circumstances so exacting to weigh with us in our estimate of his or her
character. We permit the great general, confronted suddenly with a mad
bull, to turn and run, without forfeiting his reputation for courage. The
bishop who, stepping on a concealed slide in winter, entertains
passers-by with momentary rag-time steps, loses none of his dignity
once the performance is concluded.
In the same way we must condone the behaviour of Cynthia Drassilis
on opening the door of Mrs Ford's sitting-room and admitting, not
Ogden, but this total stranger, who accompanied his entry with the
remarkable speech recorded at the close of the last section.
She was a girl who prided herself on her carefully blase' and
supercilious attitude towards life; but this changeling was too much for
her. She released the handle, tottered back, and, having uttered a
discordant squeak of amazement, stood staring, eyes and mouth wide
open.
On Mrs Ford the apparition had a different effect. The rather foolish
smile of welcome vanished from her face as if wiped away with a
sponge. Her eyes, fixed and frightened like those of a trapped animal,
glared at the intruder. She took a step forward, choking.
'What--what do you mean by daring to enter my room?' she cried.
The man held his ground, unmoved. His bearing was a curious blend of
diffidence and aggressiveness. He was determined, but apologetic. A
hired assassin of the Middle Ages, resolved to do his job loyally, yet

conscious of causing inconvenience to his victim, might have looked
the same.
'I am sorry,' he said, 'but I must ask you to let me have the boy, Mrs
Ford.'
Cynthia was herself again now. She raked the intruder with the cool
stare which had so disconcerted Lord Mountry.
'Who is this gentleman?' she asked languidly.
The intruder was made of tougher stuff than his lordship. He met her
eye with quiet firmness.
'My name is Mennick,' he said. 'I am Mr Elmer Ford's private
secretary.'
'What do you want?' said Mrs Ford.
'I have already explained what I want, Mrs Ford. I want Ogden.'
Cynthia raised her eyebrows.
'What does he mean, Nesta? Ogden is not here.'
Mr Mennick produced from his breast-pocket a telegraph form, and in
his quiet, business-like way proceeded to straighten it out.
'I have here,' he said, 'a telegram from Mr Broster, Ogden's tutor. It was
one of the conditions of his engagement that if ever he was not certain
of Ogden's whereabouts he should let me know at once. He tells me
that early this afternoon he left Ogden in the company of a strange
young lady'--Mr Mennick's spectacles flashed for a moment at
Cynthia--'and that, when he returned, both of them had disappeared. He
made inquiries and discovered that this young lady caught the 1.15
express to London, Ogden with her. On receipt of this information I at
once wired to Mr Ford for instructions. I have his reply'--he fished for
and produced a second telegram--'here.'
'I still fail to see what brings you here,' said Mrs Ford. 'Owing to the
gross carelessness of his father's employees, my son appears to have
been kidnapped. That is no reason--'
'I will read Mr Ford's telegram,' proceeded Mr Mennick unmoved. 'It is
rather long. I think Mr Ford is somewhat annoyed. "The boy has
obviously been stolen by some hireling of his mother's." I am reading
Mr Ford's actual words,' he said, addressing Cynthia with that touch of
diffidence which had marked his manner since his entrance.
'Don't apologize,' said Cynthia, with a short laugh. 'You're not
responsible for Mr Ford's rudeness.'

Mr Mennick bowed.
'He continued: "Remove him from her illegal restraint. If necessary call
in police and employ force."'
'Charming!' said Mrs Ford.
'Practical,' said Mr Mennick. 'There is more. "Before doing anything
else sack that fool of a tutor, then go to Agency and have them
recommend good private school for boy. On no account engage another
tutor. They make me tired. Fix all this today. Send Ogden back to
Eastnor with Mrs Sheridan. She will stay there with him till further
notice." That is Mr Ford's message.'
Mr Mennick folded both documents carefully and replaced them in his
pocket.
Mrs Ford looked at the clock.
'And now, would you