She descended and assailed the bell herself and Miss Garradice stood beside her with the light of combat in her eyes and glasses and cheeks.
“Shall I offer to take her for a drive!”
“Let’s,” said Miss Garradice in an enthusiastic whisper. “Right away! For ever.”
“I will,” said Lady Beach-Mandarin, and nodded desperately.
She was on the point of ringing again when Snagsby appeared.
He stood with a large obstructiveness in the doorway. “Lady ’Arman, my lady” he said with a well-trained deliberation, “is not a Tome.”
“Not at home!” queried Lady Beach-Mandarin.
“Not a Tome, my lady,” repeated Snagsby invincibly.
“But—when will she be at home?”
“I can’t say, my lady.”