"Not till next week, unless we have a break in this weather. I shall leave you to amuse yourself, for I'm rarely indoors till five o'clock. But—"
Here she hesitated and looked at him doubtfully.
"Would you mind very much dining out with me to-morrow night? I'm afraid I have let you in for it. It is old Admiral Urquhart who wants to see you. He knew your father. He and his brother live about a mile from here. He has a very pretty house stretching down to the river."
"I was told you had banned Society. Why, Monnie, I believe you are a fraud, after all!"
"I like my fellow-creatures," said Monica firmly. "I am not a recluse, and country neighbours are not to be despised. As a matter-of-fact, I have not worn my best dinner-gown for over a year. But it will be only a family party. You will not mind, will you?"
"I'll try not to. He was a contemporary of my father's, was he not? And isn't there something queer about his brother?"
"No. He hurt his leg in the Boer War, that was all. He goes in for carpentering—a most useful hobby. He has made a lot of things for me, and we are great pals."
"No ladies, I hope?"
"Only the Admiral's daughter. You have met her, have you not? She was staying with your cousin, Lady Fielding, the other day."
"Molly is always running girls by the dozens. That is why I fled down here; they were too many for me."