"Really," he said, "how intensely interesting!"
"We've come into the country fer a 'oliday," went on Eglantine, "an' we jes' cime in 'ere ter see wot it was loike in 'ere."
"How extremely kind of you!" said the young man, "I hope you like it."
Eglantine surveyed the scene distantly.
"Wiv a band an' some swings an' a hice cream cart, it'd be orl roight," she admitted.
The young man sighed.
"I suppose so," he said.
Most of the children were already making the best of their opportunities. Some were chasing butterflies, some picking flowers, some had taken off shoes and stockings and were paddling in the ornamental pond. The young man watched them rather despondently.
"If I'd known that you were coming," he said, "I'd have procured something in the way of a band and ice-cream cart."
Eglantine again was not to be outdone in politeness. She stood, a curious picture, in her blue dress, white stockings, yellow boots, with her over-frizzed hair standing out around her sharp little face beneath her feathered hat, and nodded slightly.