"No. He'll have to take us as we are," Eleanor said.
Bee noticed that she had not bothered to change into a dress. She was wearing the breeches and gaiters in which she had begun the morning.
"Oh, take me, take me!" Ruth said, precipitating herself down the steps and on to the car, but taking good care, Bee noticed, to keep "her blue" away from the bug's dusty metal.
"No," Eleanor said firmly.
"I'm sure he would like me to be there. One of my generation, I mean. After all, he knows you. It won't be exciting for him to see you the way it would be for him to see — "
"No. And keep off if you don't want that dazzling outfit of yours to be mucked up."
"I do think it is selfish of Eleanor," Ruth said, dusting her palms as she watched the car grow small between the lime trees. "She just wants to keep the excitement to herself."
"Nonsense. It was arranged that you and Jane should wait here. Where is Jane, by the way?"
"In the stables, I think. She isn't interested in Patrick."
"I hope she comes in in good time for lunch."