"To meet an Honourable, Lavinia!" The leaven was working.
However, on the following Monday everybody was assembled in the little drawing-room.

The Vicar was there in evening dress; the doctor and his wife; Mr.Simpson and Mrs.Simpson in the crimson gown; the Saunders boys in carpet slippers (at sight of which Miss Limpenny went hot and cold by turns); the Misses Buzza in book-muslin, with ultramarine sashes and bronze shoes laced sandal-wise; their mother in green satin and deadly terror lest the Admiral's voice should penetrate the party-wall.

Mr.Moggridge was frowning gloomily in a corner at some humorous story of Sam Buzza's telling.

In short, with the exception of their Admiral, all Trojan society had gathered to do honour to the new-comers.
Miss Limpenny, nervously toying with her best brooch, rose in a flutter as the door opened and admitted them.
"So afraid we are late! but the clocks at 'The Bower' have not yet recovered from their journey." Mrs.Goodwyn-Sandys gazed calmly about her.

There was a rustle throughout the room; two pink spots appeared on Miss Limpenny's cheeks; she stumbled in her words of welcome.