"You will stay for luncheon, will you not?
And you, Davie?
Are you at Mrs.Eastham's ?" Her concluding question was eager, almost wistful.

Her cousin answered it first.
"No," he said.

"We have driven over from Stowmarket." "And, unfortunately," put in the barrister, "we are pledged to visit Mrs.
Eastham within an hour." The announcement seemed to please Mrs.Capella, for some reason at present hidden from Brett.

Hume, of course, was mystified by the course taken by his friend, but held his peace.
Capella brusquely interfered: "Perhaps, Rita, these gentlemen would now like to make the explanation which you prevented." He moved towards the door.

So that his wife could rest under no doubt as to his wishes, he held it open for her.
"No, no!" exclaimed Brett.