A little while later Mrs. Heywood, her mother-in-law, came into the room again and went over to the piano to open it and arrange the music.
“I do hope Clare is getting dressed,” she said, speaking to herself.
Then Herbert came in, carrying a tray with decanter and glasses.
“Isn’t Clare ready yet?” he asked.
“No, dear. She won’t be long.”
“I can’t find the corkscrew,” said Herbert, searching round for it, but failing to discover its whereabouts.
“Isn’t it in the kitchen, dear?” asked Mrs. Heywood.
“Not unless Mollie has swallowed it. It’s just the sort of thing she would do—out of sheer spite.”
“Didn’t you use it the other day to open a tin of sardines?” asked the old lady, cudgelling her brains.
“Did I?” said Herbert. “Oh, Lord, yes! I left it in the bathroom.”