"Anything to oblige you, Dad," he ran on, scanning the addresses. "But I know I posted the thing. A man does not forget on such an oc-- No! you are right. I'm a liar. Here it is!"
He produced a fat envelope from the bunch, and threw it down upon the tea-table.
II
"I forgive you both," he said, smiling serenely, "for not sending to meet us. Well, to return to the goat--"
Veins began to stand out upon Lady Adela's patrician brow.
"Richard," she exclaimed, in a low and vibrant tone--"for the last time, who is that young woman?"
Dicky stared down upon his afflicted parent in unaffected surprise, and then dissolved into happy laughter.
"I must tell Tilly about this," he roared. "Of course, now I come to think of it, you don't know a thing about her. You never got my letter! Fancy you two poor old creatures sitting there as good as gold and wondering why I had brought her down here at all! Oh, my sainted Mother!"
"Who is she?" reiterated the sainted Mother, fighting for breath.
"She is my little girl," replied Dicky proudly. "We're engaged."