The Honourable John Ruffin created a diversion by saying:
"As far as I can make out this is a private matter; and little pitchers have long ears. Come along, little pitchers." And he was sweeping Pollyooly and Ronald off the lawn.
The duchess glared at him, and stopped them for a moment with the words:
"Is this your doing, John?"
"Heavens, no! Osterley is the originator, and organiser, and perpetrator of the whole arrangement," he cried over his shoulder in a tone which carried conviction; and he vanished with the children.
The duchess turned and glared again at the duke, as if she could not believe her eyes; she looked almost as if she saw him for the first time.
"Sit down and have some tea. You must be wanting it," said the duke firmly; and he began to pour it out.
The duchess sat down, with a somewhat helpless air, still staring at him. Matters seemed to be going differently from what she had expected. Her fine brown eyes looked very big.
"You did this all yourself?" she said, in a somewhat breathless voice.
"Did what? Two lumps, isn't it?" said the duke, putting two lumps into the cup and handing it to her.