"Don't bother about that, old top."
"Old top!" snorted Spooner.
By this time the countess was laughing hysterically. "Please present the ten shillings to the Progressive Mothers," she managed to say, "with the compliments of the gardener and the cook."
"The gardener and the cook!" stormed the disgusted visitor.
"Haw, haw, haw!" roared Lionel, as Ferdinand Spooner vanished across the lawn like a disgruntled Santa Claus.
CHAPTER XXVII
LIONEL AND KATE
"What an appalling little bounder!" Kate's face was expressive as she fanned the air with her apron.
Lionel shut his eyes and sniffed. "I can smell his handkerchief yet."
"Don't!" she implored. "I'm trying to forget it."