“Eh?”
“You jolly well know what I mean. You’re much cleverer than you look, dear doctor.”
As she spoke Lady Selina majestically entered the room, pausing in horror as Cicely’s clear tones penetrated her ears and her understanding.
“My darling child! What are you saying to Dr. Pawley?”
“He is, Mums. Every doctor ought to be. To look clever is rather alarming. To be clever and not look it is so very reassuring.”
Lady Selina held out her hand to her old friend, saying graciously:
“Very glad to see you, doctor. Brian, you can take the cloaks on to the lawn.”
“Let me help you,” said the parson.
The two men disappeared with arms full of red flannel cloaks. Cicely, standing dose to Pawley, laughed.
“Why do you laugh, child?” asked Lady Selina.