"I've no doubt she will, but I'm not feeling strong enough to watch the encounter. Let it be understood, Stephen, that if there are to be Quiet Games I shall go to bed with a headache!"
"There won't be. I may not be master in this house for very long, but I am tonight."
"I make all allowances for your perverted sense of humour, but I wish you wouldn't talk like that!"
He laughed, and pushed open the library door. "Go in. I'll send for tea here."
"Do you think we ought to? It'll look rather rude."
"Who cares?"
"Not you, I know. I'm past caring."
He rang the bell, regarding her with an expression in his eyes hard to read. "Can't you take it, Mathilda?"
"Not much more of it, at all events. There's a good deal to be said for Maud's point of view. This kind of thing is sheer hell. What did that policeman say to you?"
He shrugged. Just what you'd expect. I rather fancy that he came to me fresh from an illuminating chat with Sturry."