“Oh, he’d give anything that was going, would Will Ford,” said Andy, smiling back at her.
But, oddly enough, he felt as if he were talking of his friend to the woman he loved.
“I’ve had a splendid lunch,” said Mrs. Stamford, rising. “Haven’t eaten so much for years.”
“I’d no idea bread and butter and cheese were so delicious,” said Elizabeth. “It shows we always eat them at the wrong end of a meal.”
“Never enjoyed a luncheon-party so much in my life,” said Bill. “Hate ’em as a rule,” he added, rather dimming the compliment.
“Great sport,” condescended Dick Stamford, helping Elizabeth on with her coat. He did not talk much to her, but he was usually somewhere near her.
Andy stood, looking from one to the other, half proud and half dubious.
“I’m glad—if you really did—awfully good of you to be so kind about it.”
“And now,” said Norah, “we shall have a most delightfully ghoulish reputation in Gaythorpe village. The bone-eaters—to be seen almost any day free of charge—ladies and gentlemen—please walk up!”
“I shall inform Mrs. Jebb,” began Andy anxiously.