"Well, you are let off with a caution," said Joan graciously, "but you'll have to come, all the same. You will, won't you, Hughie?"
"Will my presence make so much difference?" said Hughie, rather boldly for him. He was inviting a heavy snub, and he knew it.
Joan raised her eyes to his for a moment.
"Yes," she said, rather unexpectedly, "it will."
"Then I'll come," said Hughie, with vigour. "I go to the dentist at ten. I'll get that over, ask Lance to lunch, and come down by the afternoon train. What time does the show begin?"
"Eight."
"The train gets in at seven-fifty. I'll come straight to the Parish Hall—"
"You'll get no dinner," said Joan in warning tones.
"Never mind!" said Hughie heroically. "There's to be a supper afterwards, isn't there?"
"Yes."