“Thank you,” said Claudia again, and more coldly.
“And we shall all be expected to look on, I suppose?” remarked Miss Baynes. “We do at Walter’s. He and his boys are such first-rate cricketers, they are always in demand.”
She looked round enthusiastically, but no one appeared struck with the statement.
“Other people’s relations are even one degree less interesting than other people’s ailments,” murmured Captain Fenwick, so that only Claudia heard. He went on, “Well, you’ve had your choice of amusements.”
“I didn’t come here to be amused.”
“And you have scorned them all, pointedly.”
“I!” Her face dimpled.
“Don’t you ever try to gloss over your feelings? You make me afraid to offer a suggestion.”
“Why?” said Claudia, looking at him with disconcerting frankness. “As it happens, there is something you shall do for me.” He smiled. “I want to look at the brake of your bicycle, it seemed to act better than mine.”
“When? This morning?”