Lady Diana looked perplexed.
"It is a little difficult," she said. "But we cannot refuse Walter." She looked at her husband.
George Tuffnell responded with a laugh.
"Refuse Walter! Why, I'd as soon refuse to have the boys home for the holidays! The house is big enough for everybody! What do you say, Mrs. Milbanke?"
Clodagh turned from the open window. From being red, her face was now very pale.
"I," she stammered—"I——"
Again Tuffnell laughed good-naturedly.
"Certainly! Don't you think, Di, that Mrs. Milbanke could give us an expert opinion on the management of man?"
Clodagh laughed unsteadily. Then, all at once, her mental balance was shaken by a wave of feeling. The thought of Gore—the remembrance of Gore—rose like tangible things, blotting out all else. She lifted her eyes to her host's.
"I agree with you," she swiftly said. "I should say that—that the house is big enough."