Mrs Martyn arrived.
“Anne, did you ever see anything so remarkable? I hope you noticed how sharply the steamer turned?”
“Did it?”
“Did it! You are as bad as Tom. What have you been doing? Talking?”
“I suppose so.”
“Was it interesting?” asked Mrs Martyn, glancing from one to the other.
“Hardly,” said Anne, before Wareham could speak. “We only took up a legacy of conversation left by your husband.” She walked away.
“Poor Tom!” Mrs Martyn uttered a laugh. “It must have been a legacy of grumbles. He is miserable because he has to sit still, and submit to be carried from point to point, without the possibility of using violent exercise to accomplish his purpose. If he could only pull up the lake, and tug the steamer behind, he would be happy again. Can you take life with less play of muscle, Mr Wareham?”
“As lazily as you like.”
“All the better. It is enough to endure growls from one’s husband, without hearing them echoed by others. Please do your best to induce him to enjoy himself.”