"Will you have some more tea!" Mary was saying to him, and he started at the sound of her voice.
"Oh, thanks!" he said, passing his cup to her.
"Thinking, Quinny?" Gilbert exclaimed, reaching for a bun.
"Eh? Oh, yes! I was thinking!" he answered. "What time does the evening post go out?" he said to Ninian.
"Six-twenty-five," Ninian answered.
"Thanks. I just want to write to Ireland!..."
"It'll get there just as soon if you post it to-morrow," said Gilbert.
Mary left them. "I'm going up to mother," she said, as she got up from the tea table. "She's awfully sorry she couldn't be down to welcome you," she added to Henry who had moved to open the door for her.
"I hope she'll soon be better," he answered.
When she had gone, Ninian got up and cursed lustily.