“May I have a few minutes’ conversation? You will allow me to sit down?”
“Certainly.”
I pushed aside the easy-chair and seated myself on one of the six “uprights” which were ranged about the room. It felt so much more business-like and supporting. Mr Maplestone seated himself opposite to me, and rested his hands on his knees.
“I am told that you have some idea of renting a house called Pastimes, near here!”
“We have taken Pastimes. Mrs Fane and myself have this morning signed the lease.”
He waved an impatient hand.
“This morning! So I am told. Edwards has behaved very badly. I warned him that things should not be hurried through.”
“They have not been hurried. It is several months since Mrs Fane first saw the house, and three weeks since negotiations were opened a second time.”
“I only heard this week that the house was vacant.”
“And should Mr Edwards”—(the innocent inquiry of my voice was growing more and more marked)—“was it his duty to have told you?”