"Not personally, of course," he said. Then: "I think he's retired now."
"What was he?" said I.
"The biggest receiver in France."
* * * * *
Ere we retired to rest, my brother-in-law's prophecy that there was 'worse to come' was distressingly fulfilled.
As the 'evening' advanced, it improved out of all knowledge. The later the hour, the hotter became the fun. Berry's ill humour fell away. Adèle and I danced furiously together. Vain things were imagined and found diverting. Hospitality was dispensed. The two spare 'baubles' were reinforced….
Not until half-past two was the tambourine of gaiety suffered to tumble in its tracks.
We climbed into the cars flushed and hilarious….
Late though we were, whenever we had been dancing there was one member of the household who always looked for our return and met us upon our threshold.
Nobby.