Then the duchess started, too.
"I thought you were Nina Darling," she confessed. "I meant the head-keeper, of course. Who else could I mean?"
"Oh!" said Lady Grey coldly.
"But where is dear Nina?" the duchess blandly inquired. "Such a charming person! She always livens one up so. I'm really very fond of Nina. We do so enjoy her whenever she comes to Puddlewood."
"She's just getting out of sight there," replied Lady Grey, still more coldly. "That's Sir Caryll with her. It seems he's given up shooting since his jilting."
"Shall we go on with the guns?" queried Lady Bellingdown. "It's just as you like, duchess."
"Oh, if I can do as I like I'll go home with the china and the butler and the pony-cart," her grace answered. "It would be something new to do."
Kneedrock laughed and hooked his arm through hers.
"I've a nice upholstered car turning up at three," he told her in an undertone. "Be patient and I'll provide for you."
"But there are two cars waiting now," said the duchess. "Oh, I see. You're making a joke. But such a poor joke, Nibbetts, dear."