They turned indeed at sound
of Barbara's approach, but neither of them spoke or nodded. Not having
seen her grandfather since before Miltoun's illness, Barbara found it
strange to be so treated; she too took her stand silently before the
window. A very large wasp was crawling up the pane, then slipping down
with a faint buzz.
Suddenly Lady Casterley spoke.
"Kill that thing!"
Lord Dennis drew forth his handkerchief.
"Not with that, Dennis. It will make a mess. Take a paper knife."
"I was going to put it out," murmured Lord Dennis.
"Let Barbara with her gloves."
Barbara moved towards the pane.
"It's a hornet, I think," she said.
"So he is!" said Lord Dennis, dreamily:
"Nonsense," murmured Lady Casterley, "it's a common wasp."
"I know it's a hornet, Granny. The rings are darker."
Lady Casterley bent down; when she raised herself she had a slipper in
her hand.
"Don't irritate him!" cried Barbara, catching her wrist. But Lady
Casterley freed her hand.
"I will," she said, and brought the sole of the slipper down on the
insect, so that it dropped on the floor, dead. "He has no business in
here."
And, as if that little incident had happened to three other people, they
again stood silently looking through the window.
Then Lady Casterley turned to Barbara.
"Well, have you realized the mischief that you've done?"
"Ann!" murmured Lord Dennis.
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