He looked a little defiantly at Diana as he spoke, for he knew she was thoroughly disapproving of him.
But Diana did not heed him. She had seen the lady make a wry face and clasp her foot with her hand.
"Can I bind my handkerchief round it?" she asked. "Or get some water to bathe it with?"
"You are a little dear to think of such a thing, but I can't get my shoe off, it hurts too much; and I was due to lunch with Lady Alice at two o'clock. It's past three now. What will she think? Do you know where her house is? I took a wrong turn, thinking I would make a short cut, and then ran myself into the hedge in this twisty, twirly lane! It's only the third time I've been out alone with my car. I suppose I was careless."
"I know where Lady Alice lives. Mums has been to tea with her and has shown us the house. It's over there. We can just see its chimneys."
"Well, now, that's splendid! May I send you off there to tell them where I am? They'll send their car for me. And leave the cherub to take care of me."
"I think I can go across the fields," said Diana, peeping over the hedge.
This was an adventure after her own heart. She found a gate into the field and sped away.
Noel heaved a sigh, then suddenly plumped down on the bank beside the stranger.
"I'm so tarred," he said; "we've walked miles. We were going to pick strawberries."