"No, seriously," Eleanor went on. "I was just going to wire and ask if I could send the kiddies down to the country. Lambton wants me for a six weeks' tour before Xmas, and I can't leave them with Georgie. You see, if this piece catches on, it means a good shop for me in the new year."
"Yes, I quite understand your point of view," John said. "But what I don't understand is why Bertram and Viola can't stay with their father."
"But George is ill. Surely you got my letter?"
"I didn't realize that the presence of his children might prove fatal. However, send them down to Ambles by all means."
"Oh, but I'd much rather not after the way Hilda wrote to me, and now that you've come back there's no need."
"I don't quite understand."
"Well, you won't mind having them here for a short visit? Then they can go down to Ambles for the Christmas holidays."
"But the Christmas holidays won't begin for at least six weeks."
"But you don't propose that Bertram and Viola should spend six weeks here?"