"So am I," he agreed. "And we shall have the most exquisite adventures in the spring. We'll go out often into the country. Long country walks will do you good."
"Rather."
"Hullo!" cried Maurice. "Here we are at the Sloop. I hope breakfast is ready."
There was, however, no sign of life in the hotel by the water's side. It stared at them without any welcome.
"What an extraordinary thing," said Maurice. "I'll ring the bell. Great Scott! I never posted the letter telling them about breakfast."
"What would you do with him?" said Madge.
"Never mind. It's absurd to keep us waiting like this. We can surely get breakfast." He pealed the bell loudly as he spoke.
"Can't you get in, sir?" asked one of the drivers.
"And it's coming on to rain," said Jenny.
Maurice pealed the bell louder than ever; and finally a sad-eyed porter in shirt-sleeves opened the door and surveyed the party over a broom.