"What does he say? Let me look at his letter."
He was folding it up, as with the intention of consigning it to his pocket unseen by his wife; at her point-blank request he seemed to hesitate, then tossed it to her across the table.
"If you can explain what the fellow means by sending a letter like that I can't; it's beyond me altogether." As she read he commented. "Fancy calling us 'Dear friends.'"
"What an extraordinary thing for him to do."
"A butler!"
"It's quite inexplicable."
"What on earth has he to say to us which is of the least importance?"
"That's it; what can he have?"
"He practically orders us not to leave the place till it pleases him to come."
"It does--it does amount to that, doesn't it?"