“Every one’s out, Mr. Jim.”
“So it seems,” Jim answered. “Where are they?”
“Not very far, sir,” Allenby said. “Mrs. ’Unt has them all to tea with her to-day.”
“Oh, we’ll go over, Wal,” Jim said. “Come and make yourself pretty: you’ve a splash of mud on your downy cheek.” At the foot of the stairs he turned. “We’re off to-morrow, Allenby.”
Allenby’s face fell.
“To France, sir?”
Jim nodded.
“The master and Miss Norah will be very sorry, sir. If I may say so, the ’ole ’ousehold will be sorry.”
“Thanks, Allenby. We’ll miss you all,” Jim said pleasantly. He sprang upstairs after Wally.
Mrs. Hunt’s sitting-room was already dangerously crowded—there seemed no room at all for the two tall lads for whom Eva opened the door ten minutes later. A chorus of welcome greeted them, nevertheless.