II
Alice Galleon burst in upon them. “What! Not arrived yet! the train must be dreadfully late. Lights! Lights! No, don't you move, mother!”
She returned with lamps and flooded the room with light. The ladies displayed a feeble protest against her exultant happiness.
“I'm sure, my dear, I hope that nothing has happened.”
“My dear mother, what could happen?”
“Well, you never know with these trains—and a honeymoon, too, is always rather a dangerous time. I remember—”
“I hear them!” Alice cried and there indeed they were to be heard bumping and banging in the little hall. The door opened and Peter and Clare, radiant with happiness, appeared.
They stood in the doorway, side by side, Clare in a little white hat and grey travelling dress and Peter browner and stronger and squarer than ever.
All these people filled the little room. There was a crackling fire of conversation.
“Oh! but we've had a splendid time—”