“We always turn rather peculiar at funerals,” said Frid. “I suppose it’s because we all wear each other’s clothes. Where did you get that hat, Mummy?”
“It’s Nanny’s. I haven’t got a black. And these are Nanny’s gloves. Aren’t they frightful?”
“Really, it’s rather as if we were dressed up for another charade,” said Stephen. “Robin’s the only girl among you who doesn’t look p-peculiar.” And perhaps remembering that Roberta’s black clothes were rather tragically her own, Stephen hurried on. “Why didn’t you all b-buy yourselves funeral garments, darling?”
“Much too expensive,” said Charlot. “And that reminds me. You’ve all got to pay the greatest attention. I’m going to speak seriously to you.”
“Immy,” said Lord Charles suddenly, “where is Aunt Kit?”
“For pity’s sake, Charlie, don’t tell me Aunt Kit is lost again.”
“No, Mummy,” said Patch. “She’s just ‘disappeared’ into 26.”
“Well, you know what happened the last time she did that.”
“Talking about hats,” said’Frid, “did you ever see anything to equal hers?”
“We are not talking about hats,” said Charlot seriously. “We are talking about money.”