"Over what business?" enquired Mr. Welwyn.
"Over this son-in-law business," said Mrs. Welwyn doggedly. "Mr. Mainwaring--"
"Richard, dear--Richard!"
"All right--Richard! I don't think Richard will take very kindly to us when he sees us at home, and he'll have to see us here sometime, you know. Things look different in Russell Square from what they do at the Trocadero. And if he sheers off after all--well, it'll break our Tilly's heart."
At this moment the door burst open, to admit the sisters Welwyn, locked in an affectionate embrace and dancing a two-step to a whistled accompaniment. Tilly had returned.
CHAPTER XVII
THE WORD "SWANK"
"That's how it goes, 'Melia," panted Tilly, whirling her partner into an armchair. "It's quite easy, really; Dicky taught me in the billiard-room on Saturday night in ten minutes. Hallo, hallo, hallo! Here I am, everybody! Hallo, Mother darling!"
Mrs. Welwyn gently parried the approaching embrace.
"Here's your father, dear," she remarked, with the least tinge of reproof in her voice.