“Awfully good, Raymond,” he said. “Very funny. Strawberries, Aunt Hester?”
That had hit the mark. Leaning forward to pull the dish towards him, he saw the flush on Raymond’s face.
“Really? As far as Newfoundland?” said Lord Yardley.
By now the major-domo was standing by the dining-room door again, and Philip rose. His mother got up and stood, immobile and expressionless, till the other women had passed out in front of her. Then, as she went out, she said exactly what she had said for the last sixty years.
“You will like a game of whist, then, soon?”
Generally when the women had gone, the others moved up towards the host. To-night Philip took up his glass and placed himself next Colin. The decanters were brought round and placed opposite him, and he pushed them towards Raymond.
“Help yourself, Raymond,” he said.
Then he turned round in his armchair to the other boy.
“Still vexed with me, Colin?” he said quietly.
“Of course not, father,” he said. “Sorry I sulked. But you did shut me up with such a bang.”