"Hurry with luncheon, Aubrey!" I said. "I've rented a place in Clovertown, and we go out to take possession to-day. We leave in forty minutes!"
Aubrey looked up with interest.
"I heard you at the telephone. You are a crazy little cat," he said, but I could see that he was charmed. We love to do crazy things.
"He's going to meet us at the station with a carriage," I explained as I struggled into my coat with Mary's help, and Aubrey pawed madly around in the dark closet for overshoes for both of us.
Mary flew about like a distracted hen until she saw us safely started. Most people would have gone mad at our erratic proceedings, but nothing ever disturbed Mary's equanimity. In fact, crises fairly delighted her. In an emergency she rose to the heights of Napoleon.
Finally we started, caught the train, and arrived. The gallant Mr. Close met us, true to his word, and in five minutes we were on our way to Peach Orchard.
As we drove into the grounds, Mr. Close clapped his hand to his forehead with an exclamation.
"What is it?" I said, with a sinking heart.
"I've forgotten the key!"
"Never mind," I said, blithely. "We can easily get in through a window. My husband used to be a burglar."