"Oh, don't congratulate me yet," she said. "He hasn't said anything."
I was really amazed...
"I thought perhaps that, when you met at my house—," I began.
After all, if—as I hope—everything goes well, I am entitled to a little credit...
"Oh, not a word!," said Phyllida. "He wouldn't even dance with me at first. I said: 'Are you trying to avoid me?' He said: 'Yes.' ... And I could have died till I saw he was only joking. Then we both laughed. Then he said: 'Would your mother invite me down to the Hall one week-end soon? It's only fair to warn her that, if she doesn't, I shall invite myself.' 'And, if you don't invite yourself, I shall invite you,' I told him. 'Don't let's say anything at present,' he said; 'I've been very busy since I saw you last, but I shall be free in a week or two.' He wired on Wednesday to know if he might come. I knew you would like to meet him and to see that my faith was justified."
"Dear Phyllida," I said. "I hope indeed that it has been."
"If he doesn't propose to me," answered Phyllida, "I shall propose to him. I always told you I would."
Of course, I am old-fashioned; I was brought up in a different school. Do you know, even in jest, between the two of us, that kind of speech is always very distasteful to me...
Apparently the young man was motoring from London, and there was some sort of idea that he would arrive in time for tea. We maintained our absurd theatrical postures until the terrace became too unbearably cold. When I went up to dress, he had not arrived; but Phyllida was still sitting with her gaze fixed down the drive to the white gates of the lodge... It may have been love; but I could not help feeling that she was very conscious of the effect...
When I came down at half-past eight, there was still no sign of him. And then you can imagine the inevitable discussion! Was he coming or was he not? Should we wait or should we begin without him? Phyllida expressed no opinion; she sat by herself, waiting... At nine o'clock I took Arthur and Will on one side and told them that we must really make a concerted attack on Ruth; I was famished...