"I think that's a good idea."
He suggested the Cloister Tea Rooms. She spoke to the chauffeur and accompanied him.
II
The Cloister Tea Rooms were above a pastry cook's on the first floor of one of the old houses in The Precincts. The irregularly shaped room provided several secluded: tables, and they took one in a remote corner. But their conversation would have suffered nothing in a more central and neighboured situation. Nona began some account of her summer visitations. Sabre spoke a little of local businesses: had she seen the new railway? Had he been round the Garden Home since her return? But the subjects were but skirmishers thrown out before dense armies of thoughts that massed behind; met, and trifled, and rode away. When pretence of dragging out the meal could no longer be maintained, Nona looked at her watch. "Well, I must be getting back. We haven't had a particularly enormous tea, but the chauffeur's had none."
Sabre said, "Yes, let's get out of this." It was as though the thing had been a strain.
He put her into the car. She was so very, very quiet. He said, "I've half a mind to drive up with you. I'd like a ride, and a walk back."
She said the car could run him back, or take him straight over to Penny Green. "Yes, come along up, Marko. They have rather fun in the billiard room after tea."
He got in and she shared with him the heavy fur rug. "Not that I want fun in the billiard room," he said.
She asked him lightly, "Pray what can we provide for you, then?"
"I just want to drive up with you."