"Are you in a great hurry?"
"Yes—terrible. The others have gone up to Fairwarp in the car for a picnic. There wasn't enough room for us all, so Awdrey and I were to bicycle; then she said her skirt was too tight, so they squeezed her in, and I bicycled alone. It's quite close really, but I had this puncture, and they all passed me in the car, and never saw me, they were going so fast. I don't know how I can possibly be at Fairwarp in time."
"No—nor do I. We can't mend your tyre without the stuff, and the nearest shop is two miles from here."
"I'll have to go home, that's all. They'll be awfully sick about it—for I've got the nicest cakes on my carrier."
Nigel laughed.
"Then perhaps you have the advantage, after all. Just think—you can eat them all yourself!"
"They're too many for one person. I say, won't you have some?"
"That would be a shame."
"Oh no—do have some. I hate eating alone—and I'm awfully hungry."
She began to unstrap the parcel from her carrier.