“Oh, one moment, Hampy; this tiresome pencil’s got no point again.”
“Take mine, ma dear,” said Fin.
“Thank you, my love. Now, pa.”
“Er-rum,” said Sir Hampton—“first, then, we’ll have er—er—Sir Felix Landells.”
Aunt Matty bowed her head approvingly.
“E, double L, S,” said Lady Rea, writing. “Don’t shake me, Fin, there’s a dear.”
For Lady Rea had come undone at the back of her dress, and Fin was busy with a pin at her collar.
“Er-rum!” continued Sir Hampton. “Next we’ll have Captain Vanleigh.”
And he looked hard at Tiny, who bent lower over her plate.
“Van, I—tut-tut-tut, how do you spell leigh, e first or i first?” said Lady Rea.