"Georgina has very properly recalled to me that candles and lamps make a very poor light for viewing the family portraits. You know, my love, the Vandyck is so very dark and black. She proposes, therefore, with your permission, to act as our cousin's cicerone to-morrow morning, in the daytime. Shall we say—at eleven o'clock, John?"
Canon Birch started nervously, and the doctor frowned at him.
"At eleven o'clock," said John, in steady tones; and, as he spoke, Sir
Timothy entered the hall.
CHAPTER IV
"Some tea, Timothy?" said Lady Mary.
"If you please, my dear," said Sir Timothy, dropping his letters into the box.
"I am afraid the tea will be little better than poison, brother," said
Lady Belstone, in warning tones; "it has stood so long."
"Perhaps dear Mary intends to order fresh tea, Isabella," said Miss
Crewys.
"It hasn't stood so very long," said Lady Mary, looking appealingly at Sir Timothy; "and you know Ash is always cross if we order fresh tea."
"Excuse me, my love," said Miss Crewys. "I am the last to wish to trouble poor Ash unnecessarily, but the tea waited for ten minutes before you came down."