“And remember not to mention witchcraft. Uncle G. hates it.”
“Ssh!”
“Can’t we be talking?” Frid suggested. “You’d think there was a corpse in the flat.”
“If you can think of anything to say, say it,” said her father gloomily.
Frid began to speak in a high voice. “Aren’t those flowers over there too marvellous?” she asked. Nobody answered her. In the distance a bell rang. Baskett was heard to walk across the hall.
“Lovely, darling,” said Lady Charles violently. She appealed mutely to the children who stared in apprehension at the door and grimaced at each other. Lady Charles turned to Roberta.
“Robin, darling, do tell us about your voyage Home. Did you have fun?”
“Yes,” said Roberta, whose heart was now thumping against her ribs. “Yes. We had a fancy-dress ball.”
Lady Charles and Frid laughed musically. The door opened and Baskett came in.
“Lady Katherine Lobe, m’lady,” said Baskett.