"And here I had thought the headmistress explained all that."

His voice is even more dry than it was a moment ago.

"More fool me. And it would hardly be wise to be over-familiar, Miss Lennox. I am, after all, Gideon Wolfe, son of an Englishman sent abroad, and returned when his mother fell ill. I would hardly have an opportunity to make the acquaintance of your uncle, let alone his ward."