a good deal of father's wine left； a bottle of sparkling Moselle； perhaps。〃
〃Oh no； Miss Viner； that is really not necessary。〃
〃Nonsense； my child。 No gentleman is happy unless he drinks something with his meal。 There is some good pre…war whisky if you think he would prefer that。 Now do as I say and don't argue。 The key of the wine…cellar is in the third drawer down in the dressing…table； in the second pair of stockings on the left…hand side。〃
Katherine went obediently to the spot indicated。
〃The second pair； now mind；〃 said Miss Viner。 〃The first pair has my diamond earrings and my filigree brooch in it。〃
〃Oh；〃 said Katherine； rather taken aback； 〃wouldn't you like them put in your jewel…case？〃
Miss Viner gave vent to a terrific and prolonged snort。
〃No； indeed！ I have much too much sense for that sort of thing； thank you。 Dear； dear； I well remember how my poor father had a safe built in downstairs。 Pleased as Punch he was with it； and he said to my mother； 'Now； Mary； you bring me your jewels in their case every night and I will lock them away for you。' My mother was a very tactful woman； and she knew that gentlemen like having their own way； and she brought him the jewel…case locked up just as he said。
〃And one night burglars broke in； and of course … naturally … the first thing they went for was the safe！ It would be； with my father talking up and down the village and bragging about it until you might have thoug