The silver band struck up again, and Mr Prendergast began a little jig, saying: 'Capital fellow! and snapping his fingers. Paul led him to the refreshment tent.
'Dingy wants you to help her in there, he said firmly, 'and, for God's sake, don't come out until you feel better.
'I never felt better in my life, said Mr Prendergast indignantly. 'Capital fellow! capital fellow!
'It is not my affair, of course, said Colonel Sidebotham, 'but if you ask me I should say that man had been drinking.
'He was talking very excitedly to me, said the Vicar, 'about some apparatus for warming a church in Worthing and about the Apostolic Claims of the Church of Abyssinia. I confess I could not follow him clearly. He seems deeply interested in Church matters. Are you quite sure he is right in the head? I have noticed again and again since I have been in the Church that lay interest in ecclesiastical matters is often a prelude to insanity.
'Drink, pure and simple, said the Colonel. 'I wonder where he got it? I could do with a spot of whisky.
'Quarter‑mile open! said Paul through his megaphone.
Presently the Clutterbucks arrived. Both the parents were stout. They brought with them two small children, a governess, and an elder son. They debouched from the car one by one, stretching their limbs in evident relief.
'This is Sam, said Mr Clutterbuck, 'just down from Cambridge. He's joined me in the business, and we've brought the nippers along for a treat. Don't mind, do you, Doc? And last, but not least, my wife.
Dr Fagan greeted them with genial condescension and found them seats.