MacDonald touched his hat and moved away.
Lady Coote sighed unhappily and looked after him. Jimmy Thesiger, replete with kidneys and bacon, stepped out on to the terrace beside her, and sighed in quite a different manner.
"Topping morning, eh?" he remarked.
"Is it?" said Lady Coote, absently. "Oh! yes, I suppose it is. I hadn't noticed."
"Where are the others? Punting on the lake?"
"I expect so. I mean, I shouldn't wonder if they were."
Lady Coote turned and plunged abruptly into the house again. Tredwell was just examining the coffee pot.
"Oh, dear," said Lady Coote. "Isn't Mr.—Mr.—"
"Wade, m'lady?"
"Yes, Mr. Wade. Isn't he down yet?"