He entered, with massive, lounging movements.

"I suppose I can come in," he remarked.
"What a question!" ejaculated Mrs.Peck.
Columbine said nothing.

She picked up her empty watering-can and swung it carelessly on one finger, hunting for invisible weeds in the geranium-pots the while.
Mrs.Peck was momentarily at a loss.

She was not accustomed to entertaining Rufus in his father's absence.
"Have a glass of mulberry wine!" she suggested.
"Columbine, run and fetch it, dear! It's in the right-hand corner, third shelf, of the cupboard under the stairs.

I'm sure you're very welcome," she added to Rufus, "but you must excuse me, for I've got to see to Mr.
Knight's dinner." "That's all right, Mother," said Rufus.
He always called her mother; it was a term of deference with him rather than affection.