"So you're back again, Sir Oliver!" she said, shaking hands.
"As you see. I hope you're not tired of me? It's only to be a short stay, anyhow."
The two were on a well-established footing, chosen by Judith, acquiesced in by Sir Oliver. He was pretty sure that she knew what he was about, but thought she could cause him no hindrance, even if she wished. She treated him with a cool irony that practically endorsed his opinion on both points.
"If you're anxious to be told that we're all glad to see you, I'll give you the formal assurance. I'm sorry my uncle is not well enough to welcome you himself."
"Oh, I hope he'll be up and about to-morrow. Bernadette tells me it's nothing serious."
"She ought to know, Sir Oliver, being his wife."
"The party has received an addition since I was here, I see."
"Yes. Some company for us when you and Bernadette go out motoring!"
"Do you think that the addition will be willing to fall in with that—well, that grouping?"
"Now I come to think of it, perhaps not. But there—you always get your own way, don't you?"