Colonel Ogden looked at his watch; it was nine o'clock. He pushed back his chair from the breakfast table, a signal for the family to have done with eating.
He sank into his arm-chair with a sigh; he was fifty-five and somewhat stout. His small, twinkling eyes scanned the columns of The Times as if in search of something to pounce on. Presently he had it.
"Mary."
"Yes, dear."
"Have you seen this advertisement of the Army and Navy?"
"Which one, dear?"
"The provision department. Surely we are paying more than this for bacon?"
He extended the paper towards his wife; his hand shook a little, his face became very slightly suffused. Mrs. Ogden glanced at the paper; then she lied quickly.
"Oh, no, my love, ours is twopence cheaper."
"Oh!" said Colonel Ogden. "Kindly ring the bell."