The boat rubbed its nose against the mossy bank; Lady Hesketh placed her fair hands in Ricky's chubby ones and sprang to the shore.
"Cecil Page," she said, "I am thirsty. Where are the others?"
Betty and Dorothy looked out from their seat in the tall grass.
"Charles brought the hamper; there it is," said Cecil.
Barbara Lisle and sentimental little Alixe von Elster strolled up and looked lovingly upon the sandwiches.
Cecil Page stood and sulked, until Dorothy took pity and made room on the moss beside her.
"Can't you have a little mercy, Betty?" she whispered; "Cecil moons like a wounded elephant."
So Betty smiled at him and asked for more salad, and Cecil brought it and basked in her smiles.
"Where is Jack Marche?" asked Molly Hesketh. "Dorothy, your brother went into the chase with a gun, and where is he?"
"What does he want to shoot in July? It's too late for rooks," said Sir Thorald, pouring out champagne-cup for Barbara Lisle.