But she never abused her power. She never domineered, never put on airs, never ordered us about, never revealed her consciousness that we were all her servants. That is true greatness.
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As you very properly observe, this is a book about Dicky Mainwaring. Revenons à nos moutons!
CHAPTER VI
FORBIDDEN FRUIT--A DIGRESSION
Lady Adela stood in the hall, engaged in her favourite pursuit of guest-dragooning.
"Mr. Mainwaring is not coming," she announced. "Dick, Hilda, Constance, Sylvia, and Mr. Crick will go in the motor. Mr. Carmyle, will you give me your company in the victoria?"
I smiled wanly and thanked her. Perhaps the punishment fitted the crime, but it was none the less a heavy one. Still, one should not seek out forbidden fruit, or tamper with First Reserves.
Briefly, the facts of the case were these.
After breakfast on the day of Laxley Races--a blazing August morning--Miss Constance Damer invited me to accompany her to the orchard to pick green apples.