"Yes. About the hot water in Ireland!"
He gazed blankly at her. "I don't understand you," he replied. "I meant just what I said. You can get hot water in Ireland as easily as you can in England. Some people have it laid on in pipes, and other people have to boil it on the fire; but you can get it all right!"
There was a look of disappointment on Miss Bushe's face. "I thought you were making a reference to politics," she said.
John stared at her. Then he turned away. "Will I get you something to eat?" he murmured as he did so. He had observed the other men gallantly waiting upon the ladies.
"Oh, thank you," she said. She glanced towards the table. "I wonder if that trifle has got anything intoxicating in it?" she added.
"I daresay," he answered. "Trifles usually have drink of some sort in them!"
"I couldn't take it if it has anything intoxicating in it," she burbled.
"Why not?" John demanded. "It'll do you no harm!"
"Oh, I couldn't. I simply couldn't if it has anything intoxicating in it. We're very strict about intoxicants. They do so much harm!"
John did not know what to do or say next. She still stared longingly at the trifle, and it was clear that she would greatly like to eat some of it.