Over her shoulder Norah caught a glimpse of her father’s face, set in grim lines. She checked a sudden wild desire to laugh, and murmured something civil.
“Our hostess, Algernon,” said the stout lady, and Norah shook hands with Colonel West, who was short and stout and pompous, and said explosively, “Haw! Delighted! Cold night, what?”—which had the effect of making his hostess absolutely speechless. Somehow with the assistance of Allenby and Sarah, the newcomers were “drafted” to their rooms, and Norah and her father sought cover in the morning-room.
“You look worn, Daddy,” said his daughter, regarding him critically.
“I feel it,” said David Linton. He sank into an armchair and felt hurriedly for his pipe. “Haven’t had a chance of a smoke for hours. They’re a little trying, I think, Norah.”
“Where did you get them?” Norah asked, perching on the arm of his chair, and dropping a kiss on the top of his head.
“From the hospital where the boys were. Colonel West has been ill there. Brain-fever, Mrs. West says, but he doesn’t look like it. Anyhow, they’re hard up, I believe; their home is broken up and they have five or six children at school, and a boy in Gallipoli. They seemed very glad to come.”
“Well, that’s all right,” said Norah practically. “We can’t expect to have every one as nice as the Hunts. But they’re not the only ones, Dad: Captain Garrett is here, and Jim is sending some one called Hardress by the 6.45—unfortunately the telephone didn’t allow Jim to mention what he is! I hope he isn’t a brigadier.”
“I don’t see Jim hob-nobbing to any extent with brigadiers,” said her father. “I say, this is rather a shock. Four in a day!”
“Yes, business is looking up,” said Norah, laughing. “Captain Garrett is a dear—and he can ride, Dad. I had him out on Killaloe. I’m a little uneasy about the Hardress person, because he’s just out of a convalescent home, and Jim seemed worried about him. But the telephone went mad, and Jim was in a hurry, so I didn’t get any details.”
“Oh, well, we’ll look after him. How is the household staff standing the invasion?”