“But you must have some idea where you are going,” persisted Sir Richard, gloomily sniffing at his egg.
“Well, I expect we’ll start out towards that old church,” said Tony. “You know, the one on the cliff; then we’ll strike inland, I expect. Don’t you think so, Maradick?”
“Yes,” said Maradick.
There was no doubt at all that the five ladies were extremely glad that there was to be no picnic. Mrs. Lawrence meant to have a really cosy day reading by the fire one of those most delightful stories of Miss Braddon. She was enormously interested in the literature of the early eighties; anything later than that rather frightened her.
“We can have a really cosy day,” said Mrs. Lester.
“Yes, we shall have quite a comfortable time,” said Mrs. Lawrence.
“It is so nice having an excuse for a fire,” said Lady Gale.
“I do love it when one can have a fire without being ashamed, don’t you?” said Mrs. Lawrence.
Mrs. Maradick gathered her two girls about her and they disappeared.
Slowly the clock stole towards half-past eleven, when the first move was to be made. Mr. Lester had left quite early. He said good-bye to Maradick with great cordiality.