“Oh, Geoffrey, what is to be done withyou?”
Geoffrey sat up and saw Diana. “Oh, hello. I did not see youbefore.”
“Hello, Geoffrey. I am sorry to hear about yourmisfortune.”
Miriam plopped down next to her brother and put her arm around his shoulder. “What is to be done now? Father will have afit.”
Geoffrey groaned, “I know. He threatened to send me into the military if I cannot hold down a job. Can you imagine?Mein the army? Even thethoughtof fighting makes me faint. Butactualcombat would send me straight into the arms ofBedlam.”
“My poor darling,” Miriam crooned. “Maybe I can engage you as my man slave, then you would be gainfullyemployed.”
“What would I have todo?”
“Serve me hand and foot for the rest of mylife.”
“And what would youpay?”
“I could only afford tuppence a week. But then Father would have no cause to send youaway.”
Geoffrey sighed. “I somehow do not think that would signify as gainful employment in Father’seyes.”
“Tant pis,”Miriam said, and then echoed Geoffrey’ssigh.
