Chicksands knew his man too well to take offence at the Squire's manners, and Beryl was for a time too timidly and blissfully happy to be troubled by them.
'You have been here a few weeks,' said the newcomer to Elizabeth, when the party had settled down at table.
'About six weeks.

It seems longer!' smiled Elizabeth.
'You are doing some work for my father ?' Elizabeth explained herself.

Major Mannering listened attentively.
'So what you do for him is literary--and historical ?' 'Oh no--I do accounts, and write letters too.' 'Accounts?
I thought there was a housekeeper ?' 'She went a month ago to the W.A.A.C.'s.

Please!--do you mind ?' And to his amazement, as he was putting out his hand automatically to a piece of bread lying on his left, Miss Bremerton's hand holding a fork neatly intercepted him, and moved the bread away.
'It's our "Self-denying Ordinance,"' explained the lady, colouring a little.

'The bread appears because--because your father doesn't think rations necessary.