“There! I wont play any more,” said Miss McQuinch, suddenly, at the other end of the room. “Have you finished your chess, Marian?”
“We are nearly done. Ring for the lamps, please, Nelly. Let us finish, Sholto.”
“Whose turn is it to move? I beg your pardon for my inattention.”
“Mine—no, yours. Stop! it must be mine. I really dont know.”
“Nor do I. I have forgotten my game.”
“Then let us put up the board. We can finish some other night.”
It had become dark by this time; and the lamps were brought in whilst Douglas was replacing the chessmen in their box.
“Now,” said Marian, “let us have some music. Marmaduke: will you sing Uncle Ned for us? We have not heard you sing for ages.”
“I believe it is more than three years since that abominable concert at Wandsworth; and I have not heard you sing since,” said Elinor.
“I forget all my songs—havnt sung one of them for months. However, here goes! Have you a banjo in the house?”