He wound in his line and stood staring across the lawns in the direction of the old house.
"We are looking forward to coming," said Cornelius James. "Frightfully. Jane hopes we can play hide and seek."
"Of course you can," said Graeme. "You can do any blessed thing you like."
"And you'll play, too?"
"I?" Graeme's tone was one of apprehension, but mingled with it was a note of pleased anticipation the child's ear was quick to catch. "Are you sure you want me? I'm not much good at games; it's rather a long time since I played hide and seek, you know."
"Of course you'll have to join in," replied Cornelius James. They were walking side by side in the direction of the house. "That's all we're coming for." He looked up into Graeme's face with a boy's frank affection in his gaze.
There are men proof against the blandishments of women, charm they never so wisely, but none entirely unsusceptible to a child's naïve advances.
Graeme flicked the supple rod to and fro over his shoulder.
"Right-ho!" he said gruffly, and then after a half-awkward pause added: "Would you like a peach?"
The boy signified assent to the proposal, and they skirted the flower-beds, leaving the house on their left and entered the walled garden.