‘Would you like to go out to Jellipore as Ranee?’ asked the Pilot.
‘No, thanks,’ replied Ina, ‘I’m going to be the only pebble on my beach, and he’s got a regular cartload on his.’
‘You do generally appear to be stony, dear,’ said Ruby, amidst general laughter.
‘Ah! I haven’t got so many kind friends as you have,’ retorted Ina.
There is no knowing what this conversation might have led to, had not the Blubber appeared at Ina’s elbow with uncanny stealth, and demanded in a sepulchral voice:
‘Sherry wine or ’ock, Miss?’
‘D’you like Oxford?’ enquired Accrington, who always makes the most obvious remarks.
‘Oh! it’s lovely,’ responded Ruby enthusiastically, ‘and so exciting. Why, only yesterday I spent an hour in a man’s cupboard, because his aunt paid him a surprise visit on her way home from Scotland.’
‘How very unpleasant for you, dearest,’ put in Lily sweetly, ‘but of course you can take care of yourself.’