He said he was glad to hear it, and prayed I would let him come and see the process.
"One grows in the night, when one is asleep," I said, "so no one can see it. But if you would care to take tea with me in the afternoon, I shall be very pleased to see you."
He came the next day.
We talked gravely, as was befitting my mourning. He gave me news of my friends at Harley.
Lady Tilchester, he said, had a new scheme on hand for the employment of the returning volunteers whose places in business had been filled up in their absence. She was absorbed in this undertaking, but when not too busy was more charming than ever.
"I spent a Sunday at Harley a couple of weeks ago." he said. "I don't think many of the people were there that you met before—none, I believe, but Sir Antony Thornhirst."
"And how was he?" I tried to say as naturally as possible.
"He seemed in the best of health and spirits. There is an intelligent person, if you like. I wish he would enter Parliament."
"But Sir Antony is a Tory, I understand, Mr. Budge! He would be no use to you," I said.
"Yes, indeed, he would. We want some brilliancy just now in the House to wake us up. It does not matter which side it comes from."