"I am perfectly robust, Isabella. Do allow me at least the use of my limbs," said Lady Mary, impatiently.
"No woman, certainly no lady, can be called robust," said Miss
Crewys, severely.
The sudden clanging of a bell changed the conversation.
"Visitors. How tiresome!" said Lady Mary.
"My dear Mary!" said Sir Timothy.
"But I know it can't be anybody pleasant, Timothy," said his wife, with rather a mischievous twinkle, "for I owe calls to all the nice people, and it's only the dull ones who come over and over again."
"You owe calls, Mary!" said Lady Belstone, in horrified tones.
"I am afraid," said Miss Crewys, considerately lowering her voice as the butler and footman crossed the hall to the outer vestibule, "that dear Mary is more than a little remiss in civility to her neighbours."
"My dear admiral never permitted me to postpone returning a call for more than a week. Royalty, he always said, the same day; ordinary people within a week," said Lady Belstone.
"When royalty calls I certainly will return the visit the same day," said Lady Mary, petulantly. "But I cannot spend my whole life driving along the high-roads from one house to another. I hate driving, as you know, Isabella."