He expected an apology for an absence just five minutes over the two hours; but she offered none.
'Pamela asked me to tell you, Mr.Mannering, that tea was ready under the verandah.' 'Afternoon tea is an abominable waste of time!' said the Squire discontentedly, facing her with a Greek pot under each arm.
'Do you think so?
To me it's always the pleasantest meal in the day.' The voice was musical and attractive, but its complete self-possession produced a vague irritation in the Squire.

With his two former secretaries, a Cambridge man and a spectacled maiden with a London University degree, he had been accustomed to play the tyrant as must as he pleased.

Something had told him from the very beginning that he would not be able to tyrannize over this newcomer.
But his quick masterful temper was already trying to devise ways of putting her down.

He beckoned her towards the table where she had left her work, and she went obediently.
'You've got that line wrong.' He pointed to a quotation from the _Odyssey_.

'Read it, please!' She read it.