His expression instantly changed.

He did what he was on the point of doing, and then looked at Katharine with a look which revealed enough of his confusion to show her that he was not entirely represented by his appearance.

In a minute or two he proved himself at a loss with Mrs.Vermont Bankes, and Mrs.Hilbery, aware of the silence with her usual quickness, suggested that, perhaps, it was now time that Mrs.Bankes should be shown "our things." Katharine accordingly rose, and led the way to the little inner room with the pictures and the books.

Mrs.Bankes and Rodney followed her.
She turned on the lights, and began directly in her low, pleasant voice: "This table is my grandfather's writing-table.

Most of the later poems were written at it.