The explanation left that company mystified. Harold Jupp shook his head mournfully at Joan, and tapped his forehead.
"Excessive study, Joan, has turned that little head. The moment I saw you in sandals I said to myself, 'Joan couldn't take the hill.'"
Joan wrinkled her nose, and made a grimace at him. What rejoinder she would have made no one was to know. For Mr. Albany Todd finding himself unduly neglected burst into the conversation with a complete irrelevance.
"I am so happy. I shot a stag last autumn."
Both Dennis Brown and Harold Jupp turned to the great conversationalist with real interest.
"How many stone?" asked Dennis.
"I used a rifle," replied Mr. Albany Todd coldly. He did not like to be made fun of; and suddenly a ripple of clear laughter broke deliciously from Joan.
Lady Splay looked agitatedly around for succour. Oh, what a mistake she had made in bringing Mr. Albany Todd into the midst of these ribald young people. And after all—she had to admit it ruefully, he was a bit of a Plater. Dennis Brown, however, hurried to the rescue. He came across the room to Joan, and sat down at her side.
"I haven't had a word with you, Joan."
"No," she answered.