“Pheasant!” said Robin. “They’ve got peace on earth this autumn, anyhow.”
“I know. I wish it was the other way about. Oh, Robin, would you like to shoot this afternoon? I told the keeper to come up to see.”
“Well, then, I shouldn’t. I’ve told you once why I came down here.”
“I thought I should like to hear it twice,” said she.
Robin threw back his head. “I Came To See You!” he shouted.
“That will do beautifully. I think you’ve deafened me. You can stop and dine here, can’t you, and drive back afterwards?”
“Rather!” said Robin hoarsely. “That was my plan. I’ve broken a vocal chord. May I have an operation, and will you sit by me?”
“Operation for acute idiocy,” said she.
“Yes, inherited. Mother’s side.”
She looked at him a moment in silence, summing him up, reckoning what he was to her.