Mr. Titmarsh eyed her severely. "Moths, madam!" he said.
"Yes, moths. I meant moths. I've noticed quite a number here. They will fly into our candles."
Margaret, who was seated between her brother and Strange, said softly: "Do listen to my sister floundering hopelessly!" She shook out her table-napkin, and began to drink her soup. "You know, you're a fraud," she said. "You told me you didn't know anyone in Framley."
"Honestly, it was quite true," Michael replied. "I only met the Colonel last night. He blew into the Bell, and we got talking, and he very kindly asked me to dine with him. In fact' - his eyes twinkled -'he wouldn't take No for an answer."
"I think you must be a recluse, or something," Margaret teased him. "Why should you want him to take No for an answer?"
"I didn't," said Strange, looking down at her, with a smile. "He told me you were coming."
Margaret blushed at that, but laughed. "I feel I ought to get up and bow," she said.
Peter, who had heard, leaned forward to speak to Strange across his sister. "Were you on the right-of-way late this afternoon?" he asked. "I thought I caught a glimpse of you."
If he hoped that Michael Strange would betray uneasiness he was disappointed. "Yes," Strange said tranquilly. "I was fishing the Crewel again today. I didn't see you."
"Oh, I was some way off," Peter answered.