They all drank tea much too strong for them, out of respect to their host, who had forgotten that when he was a little boy milk was what one had at tea-time.
And slowly, by careful questioning, and by making a sudden rule that no one was to say more than thirty-seven words without stopping, Lord Andore got at the whole story in a form which he could understand.
‘I see,’ he would say, and ‘I see,’ and then ask another question.
And at last when tea was really over, to the last gladly accepted peach and the last sadly unaccepted strawberry, he stood up and said:
‘If you don’t mind my saying so, I think you are regular little bricks to have taken all this trouble. And I am really and truly very much obliged. Because I do mean to be just and right to my tenants, only it’s very difficult to know about things if nobody tells you. And you’ve helped me a lot, and I thank you very much.’
‘Then you will?’ said Charlotte breathlessly.
‘Not let her be turned out of her cottage, she means,’ Caroline explained.
‘She means the Mineral woman,’ said Charles.
‘Of course I won’t,’ said Lord Andore; ‘I mean, of course, I will. I mean it’s all right. And I’ll drive you home, and if you’re a minute or two late, I’ll make it all right with uncle.’