He came up to me as if it was my fault.
"Take that old woman home this moment, Ambrosine," he said, furiously. "Do you hear?—this minute!" and I was obliged to go up to Mrs. Dodd and suggest our returning. I was tired, I said.
"I'll not leave Wullie with that minx," she replied, firmly. "You can go without me, Mrs. Gussie. I'll not take it rude of you at all." I tried to explain that I thought we were all a little in the way and had better return to the house; but Miss Springle, who joined us, would not hear of such a thing.
"Mr. Dodd says he can't get on without me," she said, coyly, whereupon
Mrs. Dodd gurgled with rage.
"I am afraid you will all be shot if you delay here," said Antony, coming to my rescue. "We are going to take the next beat at right angles, and you are all in the full line."
"Goodness, gracious me!" screamed Mrs. Dodd. "Oh, gentlemen, save me!"
And she rushed wildly towards Augustus, who was coming up, her dress held high, showing a pair of opulent ankles and wide, flat feet covered in thin, kid boots, while a white cotton stocking appeared upon the stove-pipe calf that was visible above.
The yellow paradise plume floated in the wind, the hat having become a little deranged by her rapid flight.
"Gussie Gurrage!" she yelled. "Oh, do you hear that? The gentleman says I'll be shot!"
And she precipitated herself into the unwilling arms of Augustus.