"Mother," he announced, "this is my friend Percy Welwyn."
"Mr. Percy Welwyn," said a gentle voice in his ear.
"Sorry, old man!" said Dicky hastily.
"No offence taken," Mr. Welwyn assured him, "where none intended. This, I presume,"--he waved his dripping tweed cap in the face of the speechless matron before him,--"is your hostess."
"Yes," said Dicky. "My mother, Lady Adela Mainwaring."
Mr. Welwyn shook hands affably.
"How de do, your ladyship?" he said. "Very pleased to make your ladyship's acquaintance, I'm sure."
"And this," continued Dicky, swiftly wheeling his guest out of the danger zone, "is my old Dad."
"How do you do, Mr. Welwyn?" said Mr. Mainwaring, with a courteous little bow. "We make you welcome."
"How de do, your lordship?" replied Mr. Welwyn, repeating his hand-shaking performance. "Very pleased to make your lordship's acquaintance."