Who on earth ever saw such a picture in a dining-room?
Roger must be a fool to allow it! Afterwards the General and Lady Barnes wandered through the transformed house, in general agreement as to the ugliness and extravagance of almost everything that had been done, an agreement that was as balm to the harassed spirits of the lady.
"What have they spent ?" asked the General, under his breath, as they returned to the drawing-room--"thousands and thousands, I should think! And there was no need for them to spend a penny.

It is a sinful waste, and no one should waste money in these days--there are too many unemployed!" He drew up his spare person, with a terrier-like shake of the head and shoulders, as of one repudiating Mammon and all its works.
"Daphne has simply no idea of the value of money!" Lady Barnes complained, also under her breath.

They were passing along one of the side corridors of the house, and there was no one in sight.

But Roger's mother was evidently uneasy, as though Daphne might at any moment spring from the floor, or emerge from the walls.

The General was really sorry for her.
"It's like all the rest of them--Americans, I mean," he declared; "they haven't our sense of responsibility.