Chapter 14
Prize-giving time came, and the younger Miss Clomber, who was to present them, tried to persuade Reddin to go up on the platform, a lorry with chairs on it. There already were Mr. James and the secretary, counting the prize-money. Below stood the winners, Vessons conspicuous in his red waistcoat. Miss Clomber felt that she looked well. She was dressed in tweeds to show that this was not an occasion to her as to the country damsels.
'No. I shall stay here,' said Reddin, answering her stare, intended to be inviting, with a harder stare of indifference.
'As the last representative of such an old family—'
'Oh, damn family' he said peevishly, having lost sight of Hazel.
As Miss Clomber still persisted, he quenched the argument.
'Young families are more in my line than old 'uns.'
She blushed unbecomingly, and hastily got on to the lorry.
Reddin went in search of Hazel, while Mr. James began to read the names.
'Mr. Thomas. Mr. James. Mrs. Marston. Mr. James—'