“Doctor Hilary has just driven up through the plantation gate,” she said. “I suppose he’s coming to tea. His man was evidently going to put up the horse.”
The Duchessa glanced at a gold bracelet watch on her wrist.
“It’s four o’clock,” she said.
“He takes tea quite for granted,” smiled Trix.
“I suppose,” responded the Duchessa, “that he considers five almost consecutive invitations equivalent to one standing one.”
“Well, anyhow I should,” nodded Trix. “What are you looking so wise about, Tibby angel?”
Miss Tibbutt started. “Was I looking wise? I didn’t know.”
Trix perched herself on the table.
“Dale will clear me off in a minute,” she announced. “I suppose you’ll have tea out here as usual. Till then it’s the nicest seat. Oh dear, I wish I wasn’t going home to-morrow. That’s not a hint to you to ask me to stay longer. I shouldn’t hint, I’d speak straight out. But I must join Aunt Lilla at her hydro place. She’s getting lonely. She wants an audience to which to relate her partner’s idiocy at Bridge, and someone to help carry her photographic apparatus. Also someone to whom she can keep up a perpetual flow of conversation. That’s not the least uncharitable, as you’d know if you knew Aunt Lilla. I think she must have been born talking. But I love her all the same.”
Trix tilted back her head and looked up at the sky through the branches of the trees.