Why might he not be left alone? His own resources would carry him like the trustiest steed through the tilting which he foresaw ahead, but to be forced into a position he had no mind for, to be treated as though he were a jealous ass, and so thrust against Anne’s susceptibilities, was sure to irritate her. If a wish could have swept Mrs Martyn out of Norway, she would have found herself at this moment in England again. Wareham, equally irritated, knew that it was for him to speak.
“It was simple enough,” he said. “We had strolled out of sight or hearing of the steamer, believing that she would not start for an hour and a half. At the end of an hour we found you had all flown. We wanted Colonel Martyn to look us up.”
“Yes. Tom is always ready to undertake other people’s business,” said Mrs Martyn, helping herself to marmalade.
“Do you expect him to-day?” Mrs Ravenhill put in, conscious that her neighbour would prefer a change of subject.
“To-night at latest. Unless missing steamers should be in the air.”
She looked meaningly at Wareham. He turned to Millie.
“Have you thought out any plans for to-day?”
“We meant to explore the place a little this morning, and go to Fjaerland by the evening steamer. It is a pity we can’t sleep there and see the glaciers, but as it is we must just go up the fjord and down again. Mother was out early this morning.”
“Sketching?”
“Yes. She likes it immensely here.”