But that the Le Pages should be wet was quite another affair; the thought of a dripping Mrs.
Le Page was intolerable, but of a dripping Charlotte quite impossible; moreover, the plain but excellent food--pasties, saffron cake, apples and ginger beer--enjoyed by the Coles seemed quite too terrestrial for the Le Pages.

Mrs.Le Page and ginger beer! Charlotte and pasties!...
nevertheless, the invitation had been given and accepted.

The Coles could but anxiously inspect the sky...
II There was another reason why Jeremy looked forward to the picnic with impatience.

A funny old lady, named Miss Henhouse, who lived near Cow Farm in a little cottage all by herself, called sometimes upon the Coles and told them stories about the people and the place, which made them "sit up in their chairs." She was an old lady with sharp eyes, a black moustache and a double chin, wore an old shabby bonnet, grey mittens and large shoes which banged after her as she walked.

She leant on a cane with a silver knob to it, and she wore a huge cameo brooch on her breast with a miniature of herself inside it.