ht he kept all King Solomon's diamonds there。 They made a clean sweep; got the tankards; the silver cups; and the presentation gold plate that my father had had presented to him; and the jewel…case。〃
She sighed reminiscently。 〃My father was in a great state over my mother's jewels。 There was the Veian set and some very fine cameos; and some pale pink corals; and two diamond rings with quite large stones in them。 And then; of course; she had to tell him that; being a sensible woman; she had kept her jewellery rolled up in a pair of corsets; and there it was still as safe as anything。〃
〃And the jepty?〃
〃Oh no; dear;〃 said Miss Viner; 〃it would have been too light a weight then。 My mother was a very intelligent woman; she saw to that。 She kept her buttons in the jewel…case; and a very handy place it was。 Boot buttons in the top tray; trouser buttons in the second tray; and assorted buttons below。 Curiously enough; my father was quite annoyed with her。 He said he didn't like deceit。 But I mustn't go chattering on; you want to go and ring up your friend; and mind you choose a nice piece of steak; and tell Ellen she is not to have holes in her stockings when she waits at lunch。〃
〃Is her name Ellen or Helen; Miss Viner? I thought …〃
Miss Viner closed her eyes。
〃I can sound my h's; dear; as well as anyone; but Helen is not a suitable name for a servant。 I don't know what the mothers in the lower classes are ing to nowadays。〃
The rain h