They had erected a great Japanese umbrella at one end, and were sitting beneath it in basket chairs. Between them stood a small table, on which lay some feminine work and a yellow-backed novel, but neither the work nor the novel were in requisition, for both ladies were chatting to Toby and Archie, as they lounged near in their cool-looking gray suits. Both gentlemen, by kind permission of the feminine half of the party, were smoking cigarettes, and Mrs. Belswin, knowing how it would shock Kaituna, bravely suppressed a desire to have one also.
Very handsome she looked in her dark dress, with a bunch of crimson poppies at her breast, but handsomer still looked Kaituna, her pale olive face delicately flushed as she toyed with a heap of pale white blossoms, and talked gaily to Archibald.
"I think instead of spoiling those flowers you might make me a button-hole," said the audacious Archie in a small voice.
Kaituna looked doubtful.
"You have a button-hole."
"One of my own gathering," he said, throwing it away. "No man can arrange flowers; now you being a woman----"
"Can arrange them charmingly. Don't pay me any more compliments, Mr. Maxwell."
"Well, I won't, if you give me a button-hole."
"I have nothing here worth making up," said Miss Pethram, rising suddenly and letting all the flowers fall on the terrace. "Come down with me to the garden. Mrs. Belswin, Mr. Maxwell and I are going to pick flowers."
"Very well, dear," replied Mrs. Belswin, languidly, "I do not mind so long as I am not expected to come also."