Tony began leisurely to pour himself out a cup of tea.
"I suppose you have had your breakfast, Guy?" he observed.
The latter nodded. "I have," he said, "but if you are going to keep up this excellent habit of early rising, I shall wait for you in future."
"Yes, do," said Tony. "Then we can read out the best bits in the Times to each other. Henry and Laura do it every morning at breakfast." He took a sip out of the cup and lighted himself a fresh cigarette. "By the way," he added. "I am going to meet them at lunch to-day."
"Where?" inquired Guy.
"At Aunt Fanny's. She sent me a sort of S.O.S. call this morning saying that they were coming and imploring help. I can't leave her alone with them. She is getting too old for really hard work."
"I believe Aunt Fanny deliberately encourages you to laugh at them," said Guy severely.
"I don't want any encouragement," protested Tony, helping himself to a delicately browned piece of toast.
"If I didn't laugh at Laura I should weep."
"You would do much better if you listened a bit more to what they said. But of course it's no use offering you any advice."