"I think, Bob, it is time you went back to your grandmother's," she declared, suddenly, and back he went in spite of all his cajoleries. Pen was very strange, he thought, and rather beastly. There certainly was a change in her, for she dismissed Harriet Weekes with a douceur which did not really sweeten that lady's departure.
And in the afternoon Pen casually remarked to Chloe that she was going out of town for three days. When she said so the motor-car was at the door, and Geordie Smith was there too.
If Timothy Bunting had known that Smith was as deep in his lady's confidence as he was himself, he would have been jealous. But he must have been, for Pen said to him, when they were out of Piccadilly:
"How long will it take to get to Spilsby, Smith?"
"My lady, with this new racing-car I'll get there when you like," replied Smith, firmly.
Pen remembered that Bob said Smith's ambition was to ride through the city regardless of fines.
"I wouldn't try to do it under three hours," she said.
"Unless we are followed," said Smith. "If we are followed, my lady, may I let her go?"
"Yes," said Penelope.
Geordie Smith nodded to himself.