"We lost our way," Esther explained, "and that's why we're so late. The Rector told me about the water-lily pool, and I should so much like to see it."
Mrs. Honeybone debated with herself for a moment, until at last with a grunt of disapproval she came downstairs and opened the front door. The lily pool, now a lily pool only in name, for it was covered with an integument of duckweed which in twilight took on the texture of velvet, was an attractive place set in an enclosure of grass between high grey walls.
"That's all there is to see," said Mrs. Honeybone.
"Mr. Starling is abroad?" Esther asked.
The housekeeper nodded.
"And when is he coming back?" she went on.
"That's for him to say," said the housekeeper disagreeably. "He might come back to-night for all I know."
Almost before the sentence was out of her mouth the hall bell jangled, and a distant voice shouted:
"Nanny, Nanny, hurry up and open the door!"
Mrs. Honeybone could not have looked more startled if the voice had been that of a ghost. Mark began to talk of going until Esther cut him short.