"You have rather rushed me into a call," she said.
"It's only neighbourly to show her the ropes in a strange place," said her uncle.
And Sidney assented, wondering if she could see Mrs. de Cressiers before she went.
Fortunately, after dinner Austin walked in.
"Came down to be livened up!" he confided to Sidney. "The governor is extra grumpy; the mother on her high horse, so I cut."
"Now you can tell us about the new arrival at Lovelace's Cottage," Sidney said eagerly. "She's a connection of yours?"
"Never heard of her. Who do you mean?"
"She's a Mrs. Norman; her husband was a captain in the 12th Lancers."
"Never heard of her," repeated Austin. "But now I come to think of it, the parents were saying something to each other about Lovelace's. I didn't take much notice. Is she a good sort?"
The Major gave an emphatic nod.