"I will go and see how Daisy is getting on," he remarks, and, quite oblivious of the fact that Sir Edward has just asked him some abstruse question, the answer to which he is eagerly waiting for, off he starts with rapid strides towards the house. Sir Edward, however, looks at Doris and laughs, well pleased. After waiting patiently for some considerable time Molly at length exclaims:
"Good gracious! what a time she is fetching that cream! O, here they all come together."
"Daisy feels better," remarks Honor with some confusion in her manner, "so we have brought her out with us."
"Exactly," says Brother Ben, his eyes twinkling meanwhile. Molly looks at her sister a moment, then with a little smile at Hugh she says:
"Yes, Honor, but where is my cream?"
There is a general smile, and then Dick offers his services.
"I may perhaps manage to remember what I am going for," he says; "but it is a long, long walk to the house, and I fear it is doubtful, as Honor has already shown. However, I'll try."
"And don't drink half of it before you get back!" cries Sinclair after him.
While Dick is absent there is rather an awkward silence, which Sir Edward suddenly breaks by bursting into a hearty laugh.
"You must really forgive me," he says to Honor and Sinclair, "but it is so very absurd to see you two sitting there trying to look as if nothing at all particular has happened. Of course every one of us here," and he looks round, "has long known of the tacit understanding as to Honor's possible marriage in the future (I say 'possible' because of her noble and generous scruples in the matter), and I am sure, therefore, that she will forgive me for speaking thus openly before this family party, and our old and valued friends, the Mr. Talboys." The brothers bow delightedly.