“Sit down,” said the old lady.
Miss Perry sat down spaciously upon a chair that was particularly fragile.
“The most uncomfortable creature I have ever seen,” said the old lady in an aside to her gentlewoman. “Quite out of place in a drawing-room.” And then to Miss Perry: “Have you ever been in a drawing-room before?”
“Oh yes,” said Miss Perry.
“Where?” said the old lady.
“We have one at home,” drawled Miss Perry, “but it is only a little one.”
“Ah,” said the old lady. “And where is your home, pray?”
“I live at the Parsonage at Slocum Magna,” said Miss Perry.
“Humph!” said the old lady. “Some kind of clerical bear-garden, I presume.”
The providential reappearance of Mr. Marchbanks came to the aid of Miss Perry. He bore a massive silver tray with an equally massive silver teapot upon it. There was also an exquisite plate of old blue china. Upon this were five tiny pieces of bread and butter, each a little larger than Miss Perry’s thumbnail, each arranged at an artistic angle, and each spread with a very thin layer of jam.