''Tisn't her fault,' said Sam, still in the Hickley Woods, sticking up for me as he always did; 'she's told them times without number; it's no good blaming her. Shall I cut some sandwiches?'
'Sam, I suppose I can reprove my sister without your interfering, and I never blame, I always rule by love.'
'Same as you did this morning, sir,' grinned Sam, 'will you have large cups of coffee with your sandwiches?'
'Do you think that's a respectful remark to make to your superior officer, Brown?'
'No, sir, sorry.'
'I shall judge the measure of your repentance by the number of sandwiches you cut,' said Ross, 'and if the cups of coffee are very large, I might be inclined to overlook your cheek, otherwise——'
But Sam had vanished into the kitchen, and we went into the hall to wait for supper. A few minutes afterwards, Sam dumped a tray of food on the table.
We settled down comfortably for a good long evening. At 10.15, just as we were beginning to enjoy ourselves, Sam came in, he looked like milk and butter, and his voice was a caress.
'Turned your bath on, sir.'
'Are you dotty, Brown?' asked my brother.