"When I was fifteen. I took up ballooning instead."
"Theoretical, I suppose."
"Well, I gassed about gases."
Why did they sound so friendly, so at ease, Robert wondered. As if they had known each other a long time. Why did she like that light-weight Nevil?
"And when you were sixteen?"
If she knew how many things Nevil had taken up and dropped in his time she might not be so pleased to be the latest of them.
"Is the sherry too dry for you, Mr. Blair," Mrs. Sharpe asked.
"No, oh no, thank you, it is excellent." Was it possible that he had been looking sour? Perish the thought.
He stole a cautious glance at the old lady and thought that she was looking faintly amused. And old Mrs. Sharpe being amused was no comfortable sight.
"I think I had better go before Miss Sharpe bars the gate behind Nevil," he said. "Otherwise she will have to come to the gate again with me."