That was impossible.

They had come for a picnic and a picnic they would have.
Mrs.Cole watched, with growing agitation, the whole situation.

She saw from her husband's face that he was rapidly losing his temper, and she had learnt, after many experiences, that when he lost his temper he was capable of anything.

That does not mean, of course, that he ever was angry to the extent of swearing or striking out with his fists--no, he simply grew sadder, and sadder, and sadder, and this melancholy had a way of reducing to despair all the people with whom he happened to be at the time.
"What does everyone say to our having lunch now ?" cried Mrs.Cole cheerfully.

"It's after one, and I'm sure everyone's hungry." No one said anything, so preparations were begun.