“We must try and get up something else one of these days,” said Lady Annabel with vague graciousness. “Perhaps for the King’s birthday. Good-night—good-night. Thank you so much. So glad you were able to come—”
Until Lady Annabel came to the rectory, Cross Loman, although entirely loyal, had never been in the habit of concerning itself with the King’s birthday. But we know better, now.
“Do you have a birthday ball at the rectory?” asked Christopher, grinning.
“I wish we did,” said Sallie. “Couldn’t we have a dance? Oh, Cousin Miles, the Manor House would be the place for it.”
I looked at Claire.
“I should like to arrange something of that sort,” she said, thoughtfully, and I knew that it was in her mind to show Lady Annabel Bending that Government Houses are not the only places where these things can be done.
“Come up to tea on Sunday and let’s talk about it,” I suggested, and Claire extended the invitation to Nancy Fazackerly and to Captain Patch.
We took Mary and Sallie back to the Mill House in the car, and I remember that Christopher Ambrey began to ask about Mrs. Fazackerly.
Of course Sallie told him instantly that her husband used to throw plates at her head.
“What a hound the fellow must have been!”