‘That’s better anyhow,’ replied Ruby tartly, ‘than always wanting one of the other sex to perform that duty, like someone I know.’
Here Freddy rapped sharply on the table and cried, ‘Parrot-house next door,’ which remark effectually silenced the girls, but seriously upset Reggie, who had been preparing a joke for several minutes.
‘I suppose you are a great authority on birds’ eggs now,’ queried the Pilot of Tiny, from the bottom of the table, amid a general silence.
‘What do you mean?’ demanded the fair one, who had completely forgotten the incident in question.
‘O nothing, only you spent two hours examining Martha’s collection with Freddy in our digs on Thursday afternoon.’
As nobody appeared to have anything further to say on this subject a holy hush fell upon the company, until Accrington, who had not asked a well-worn question for very nearly three minutes, demanded of Tweenie, ‘Have you seen any Freshers’ delights?’
‘Do you mean Mr. de Beresford’s canary-coloured waistcoat?’ she asked.
‘’Pon my word you’re rather hard on poor D.B.,’ said Accrington, ‘didn’t I see you driving over with him to——?’
Here the Blubber, with involuntary tact, created a sufficient diversion by dropping a meringue and then standing on it.