Mamma went up the stairs with Audrey, as meek as a lamb—everybody gives in to Audrey—and I went into the drawing-room, conscious of a strong, and most unwonted disposition to be peacocky.
They rushed at me the moment I showed my nose inside the door—all five.
“You have kept us waiting,” began Mr Hammond. “I said at a quarter-to, sharp!”
“And with dinner ordered punctually at seven,” went on the Major. “And with fish which will resent an instant’s delay.”
I resolved to put a stop to that sort of thing at once. I waved them back with Audrey’s fan—she had lent me a beautiful black one, real lace. I felt equal to five thousand men at least, and quite capable of acting on the hint which she had dropped.
“Please don’t come so close. I don’t like being crowded.”
Mr Hammond proceeded to push the others back with his huge arms.
“Now, you fellows, you annoy Miss Norah!”
I caught his eye, and held it, in a fashion which, I fancy, caused him some slight embarrassment.
“Mr Hammond, you sent me a message by the maid.”