She found a seat, and Gwen proceeded.
"I came home yesterday, with an old woman I've picked up, who certainly is the dearest old woman...."
"Never mind the old woman. Why did you come?"
"I came home because I chose. I came here because I wanted to.... Well, I'll tell you directly. What I wish to mention now is that I have not driven a coach-and-six through the solemn compact. I assented to a separation for six months, but no date was fixed. I assure you it wasn't. I was looking out all the time, and took good care."
"Wasn't it fixed by implication?" This was Irene.
"Maybe it was. But I wasn't. We can put the six months off, and start fair presently. Papa quite agreed."
"Mamma didn't?" This was Adrian.
"Of course not. That was the basis of the ... warm discussion which followed on my declaration that I was coming to see you to-day. However, we parted friends, and I slept sound, with a clear conscience. I got up early, to avoid complications, and made Tom Kettering drive me here in the dog-cart. It took an hour and a half because the road's bad. It's like a morass, all the way. I like the sound of the horse's hoofs when I drive, not mud-pie thuds."
"We didn't hear any sound at all, except Ply.... Yes, dear!—of course you heard. I apologize." Irene said this to Achilles, who, catching his name, took up a more active position in the conversation, which he conceived to be about himself. Some indeterminate chat went on until Gwen said suddenly:—"Now I want to talk about what I came here for."
"Go it!" said Adrian.