Her question struck upon Mr. Darlington’s native conventionality, and made him conscious of the fact that, perhaps almost indiscreetly, he was bandying words with a maid-servant. He put up one hand to his beard, pulled at it, and then said, almost in his usual voice:
“Is Mrs. Leith in?”
“She’s in the garden, sir.”
“In the garden?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Is—is Mr. Leith at home?”
“He’s just come home, sir, and gone to Mrs. Leith in the garden.”
Mr. Darlington stood for a moment pulling his beard and raising and lowering his eyebrows. Then he said doubtfully:
“Thank you. I won’t disturb them now. I shall be here with Canon Wilton at half-past seven.”
Annie stood staring at him in silence.