"You won't scrape it up here," said his aunt, continuing her dusting; then, for she was as inquisitive as a mongoose: "And what part of the country do you propose to take a holiday in?"
"Sonning-on-Thames."
"And where, may I ask, is Sonning-on-Thames?"
"It's on the Thames. See here, will you lend me five pounds?"
"Five what?"
"Pounds."
"What for?"
"To take a girl for a trip to Sonning-on-Thames."
Miss Hancock was sweeping with her duster round a glass arrangement made to hold flowers, in the convulsion incident on this statement she upset the thing and smashed it, much to Leavesley's delight.
He made for the door, and stood for a moment with the handle in his hand.