The next day the great heat had moderated, and the sky was covered with a thin pearly veil of gossamer greyness which afforded a delightful relief after the glare of the past week.

A smart shower had fallen during the night, and the parched earth, refreshed after its bath, appeared more fragrant and more beautiful than ever.

Aunt Charlotte busied herself all the morning with various household diversions, while Austin, swaying lazily to and fro in a hammock under an old apple tree, read 'Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight.' At last he looked at his watch, and found that it was about time to go and dress.
"Well, you _have_ made yourself smart," commented Aunt Charlotte complacently, as Austin, sprucely attired in a pale flannel suit, with a lilac tie and a dark-red rose in his button-hole, came into the morning-room to say good-bye.

"But why need you have dressed so early?
Our friends aren't coming till three o'clock at the very earliest, and it's not much more than twelve--at least, so says my watch.

You needn't have changed till after lunch, at any rate." "My dear auntie, have you forgotten ?" asked Austin, in innocent surprise.