He felt an obscure inward irritation, which he did not analyze, that she should talk so well and be so charming personally at the same time.
Elfrida, still in the flush of her elation, was putting on her gloves to go, when the room resounded to a masterful double rap.

The door almost simultaneously opened far enough to disclose a substantial gloved hand upon the outer handle, and in the tones of confident aggression which habit has given to many middle-aged ladies, a feminine voice said, "May we come in ?" It is not probable that Lady Halifax had ever been so silently, surely, and swiftly damned before.

In the fraction of an instant that followed Kendal glanced at the dismantled tray and felt that the situation was atrocious.

He had just time to put his foot upon his half-smoked cigarette, and to force a pretence of unconcern into his "Come in! Come in!" when the lady and her daughter entered with something of unceremoniousness.
"Those are appalling stairs--" Lady Halifax observed Elfrida, and came to an instant's astonished halt--"of yours, Mr.Kendal, appalling!" Then as Kendal shook hands with Miss Halifax she faced round upon him in a manner which said definitely, "Explain!" and behind her sharp good-natured little eyes Kendal read, "If it is possible!" He looked at Elfrida in the silent hope that she would go, but she appeared to have no such intention.

He was pushed to a momentary wish that she had got into the cupboard, which he dismissed, turning a deeper brick color as it came and went.