"I didn't find it. A man got it for me from the Dorset Arms."
"A man!" cried Awdrey.
"Yes, quite an ordinary sort of man, but rather decent."
"I wonder who he was. How romantic, Tony!"
"Rats! It wasn't in the least romantic. When I got out of the station I found the car wasn't there to meet me, and all the cabs were gone, and I didn't know what to do. Then rather a nasty-looking man came along, and asked me what was the matter, and when I told him, he said I'd better spend the night in East Grinstead as it was so late, and he knew of a very nice place I could go to. I didn't like to refuse, as he seemed so polite and interested, but of course I wanted to come here, and I was awfully glad when another man came and said he could get me a cab quite easily. The first man didn't seem to like it, though—perhaps he had some poor relation who let lodgings."
"Tony!" cried her sister. "You really mustn't go about alone. You're much too innocent."
"My darling child," wailed her mother, "my dove unsoiled by knowledge!"
Tony looked surprised, but her answer was checked by the sound of footsteps in the hall.
"Girls, there's your father!" cried Lady Strife. "Now, Tony, you will have to explain. And remember I hate a scene—it clogs my soul with matter."
"Right-O, mother!" and Tony hurried out into the passage.