A man with flushed face, without collar or tie, clad in trousers and shirt only, had stepped out of the parlour.

He stared at his visitors in embarrassment.
"I came over to have a word or two with you on business, Mr.
Crockford," Jane said coldly.

"I rather expected to find you on the land." The man mumbled something and threw open the door of the sitting room.
"Won't you come in ?" he invited.

"There's just Mr.Pettigrew here--the vet from Barnstaple.

He's come over to look at one of my cows." Mr.Pettigrew, also flushed, rose to his feet.