"I'm doing my best, Mrs. Carré."
"That iss very nice."
"Very nice, indeed!" And Miss Penny asserted afterwards that he was looking at Margaret all the time.
"I told them you were a nice quiet gentleman and wouldn't disturb them at all," said Mrs. Carré.
"I'll do my very best not to. So far the disturbance has been all on their side, but I'm standing it very well, you see. You'll let me show you the sights, won't you?" he said to Miss Brandt. "I've been here a month, you see, and I know it all like a book. I've done nothing but moon about since I came—"
"I thought you were busy on a book," said Miss Penny.
"Er—well, you see, you have to do a lot of thinking before you start writing. I've been thinking," and perhaps more than one of them had a fairly shrewd suspicion as to the line his thoughts had taken.
"Now, if I don't cut away and dress, and get my breakfast and clear out, I shall be in the way of the ladies, and Mrs. Carré will never forgive me," he said. "I do hope you will include me in your plans for the day."
His bow included them both, and he sped off up the path through the high hedge, with the two dogs racing alongside.
"Meg, my child, we will go for a little walk," said Miss Penny.