"Nap's skiing." "Then you, Bertie--" "My dear fellow," said Bertie, "I'm fearfully sorry, but I can't.

You understand, don't you, Lady Carfax?
I would if I could, but--" his excuses trailed off unsatisfactorily.
He turned very red and furiously jabbed at the fire with his boot.
"Please don't think of it," said Anne.

"I am so used to being alone.

In fact, your mother wanted to come with me, but I dissuaded her." "Then I conclude it is useless for me to offer myself as an escort ?" said Lucas.
"Yes, quite useless," she smiled, "though I am grateful to you all the same.

Good-bye, Mr.Errol!" "Good-bye!" he said.
As Bertie closed the door behind her he took up a letter from the heap at his elbow; but his eyes remained fixed for several seconds.
At length: "Bertie," he said, without looking up, "are you due at the Rectory this morning ?" "This afternoon," said Bertie.
He also bent over the pile of correspondence and began to sort.