"Did you come down from Town?" said Mrs. Durlacher, presently.
"Yes."
"It's a nice drive, isn't it?"
"Oh yes, it's lovely."
"Let me see, how long is it since we met last?"
"Three years, I think, perhaps a little more."
"Of course—yes—of course it must be. What a good memory you have! Would you care to see over the house before lunch? It's rather a charming old place, don't you think so? But of course it's terribly untidy now. I haven't started my house-parties yet, and everything's generally more or less upside down till my husband and I begin to come down regularly. Perhaps you'd prefer to wait till after lunch, though?"
Sally rose willingly to her feet.
"Oh no. Not at all—I should like to see it immensely. I think the hall is perfectly wonderful."
Mrs. Durlacher stood up, her eyes candidly criticizing Sally's dress.