With a resigned air, Lady Touchstone sat awaiting his report.
Valerie began to laugh.
"Shall I tell you what he's doing?" she said.
Her aunt regarded her.
"I presume he's staring at the wheel," she said shortly. "Though of what interest a deflated tire can be to anybody passes my comprehension."
"Not at all," said her niece. "Mason is trying to make up his mind to tell you that we shall have to walk home. He only brought one spare cover, and we've used that."
Lady Touchstone glanced at her watch.
"And the Billows," she said grimly, "are coming to lunch in twenty minutes." She raised her voice. "All right, Mason. Miss Valerie's broken it to me. Stop the first vehicle that approaches and ask them to give us a lift."
"Very good, my lady."
"Supposing," said Valerie, "it's a milk-float."