“My dear, I venture to say that it is a generally admitted fact,” her husband replied.
“Generally admitted facts are as often as not rubbish,” retorted the lady with some asperity. “What I say is, let a man do his duty wherever he is, and make the best of what he’s got, without grumbling.”
There was an unmistakable innuendo in this speech, and for a moment an awkward silence ensued.
“I hear you have built a new conservatory, Mr. Henderson?” said Miss Devereux, as if to change the subject.
“It is just completed,” said Godfrey. “Would you care to see it?”
A general desire to inspect this new wonder having been expressed, Godfrey led the way from the room, contriving, when all had passed out, to take up his position beside their youngest visitor.
“Will you take pity upon a stranger in the land?” he said, “and give me some information?”
“What can I tell you?” she asked.
He glanced at the vicar and his wife, who were some little distance in front.
“Do they always squabble like this?” he inquired.