"But couldn't you postpone it? I'm sure Sean wouldn't mind if he knew it was in a good cause."
"Sean," said his doting parent, "has never taken the slightest interest in any cause that was not to his own immediate advantage. Being a chip off the old block. If I came would you introduce me to your witches?"
"But of course."
"And would Christina make me some butter tarts?"
"Assuredly."
"And could I have the room with the text in wools?"
"Kevin, you'll come?"
"Well, it's a damned dull country, Milford, except in the winter"-this was a reference to hunting, Kevin's only eye for country being from the back of a horse-"and I was looking forward to a Sunday riding on the downs. But a combination of witches, butter tarts, and a bedroom with a text in wools is no small draw."
As he was about to hang up, Kevin paused and said: "Oh, I say, Rob?"
"Yes?" Robert said, and waited.