19
Mr. Sandal was to come on Thursday night and stay over till after luncheon on Friday.
On Thursday morning Bee said that she was going into Westover to do some special shopping for Mr. Sandal's meals, and what would Brat like to do with his day?
Brat said that he would like to come with her and see Westover again, and Bee looked pleased.
"We can stop on the way through the village," she said, "and let Mrs. Gloom run her eye over you. It will be one less for you to meet after church on Sunday."
So they stopped at the newsagent's, and Brat was exhibited, and Mrs. Gloom sucked the last ounce of satisfaction out of the drama of his return, and they laughed together about her as they sped away to the sea.
"People who can't sing are horribly frustrated," Bee said, after a little.
Brat considered this non sequitur. "The highest mountain in Britain is Ben Nevis," he said, proffering one in his turn.
Bee laughed at that and said: "No, I just meant that I should like to sing at the top of my voice, but I can only croak. Can you sing?"
"No. I croak too. We could croak together."