At half-past eight next morning Connie Carmyle, wearing a tweed coat andskirt and neat brown brogues, came whistling downstairs, intent upon aconstitutional before breakfast.
Upon the sofa in front of the hall-fire, self-consciously perusing aSunday newspaper, sat a large man of slightly sheepish appearance. Atthe sight of Connie he rose guiltily to his feet. Mrs. Carmyle embracedhim in a motherly fashion.
"And may I ask what you are doing here, my man?" she enquired.
"Finished things off last night after all," replied her husband; "sothought I might as well run down this morning and spend the day."
"Why?" asked Mrs. Carmyle wonderingly. She knew perfectly well; butbeing a woman and the possessor of an undemonstrative husband, itpleased her to spur him into making an exhibition of himself.
"Thought I should like a rest," said Mr. Carmyle gruffly. "Had a prettytough week," he added, in a pusillanimous attempt to excite compassion.
"Is that the only reason?" persisted his heartless spouse.
"Having a wife, thought I might as well come and see her for an hour ortwo," conceded Carmyle grudgingly.
"You must put it better than that, darling," said Connie inexorably."Now, be a little man! You came because--because--"
The sorely-harrassed husband, driven into a corner, turned a deepplum-colour.
"Because I love you!" he growled. "Now chuck it, Connie, for goodness'sake!"
He was rewarded by a radiant smile.
"That is much better," said Connie approvingly. "Now you shall have somebreakfast. After that I have a great deal for you to do."
"What?"
"You can take us for a drive in the car."
"Us?"
"Yes--us. Me, Dicky, and his fiancee," answered Connie very distinctly.
"Righto!" replied this maddening man unconcernedly.
Connie heaved a patient little sigh, and repeated:--
"Me, Dicky, and--his fiancee."
This effort was more successful.
"Righto!" said Carmyle once more. "Freak engaged again?" he added as anafterthought.
Connie cast up her eyes in a piteous fashion, as if to imply that it isbetter to have a husband like this than none at all, and repliedresignedly:--
"Yes. It's a long story. I wrote you a letter about it last night.Here it is in the post-basket. Read it now; while I run and break thenews of your visitation to Lady Adela."
By the time that Connie returned, her taciturn but capable husband hadmastered the contents of her letter--parentheses, italics, notes ofexclamation, and all--and was ready to receive the orders of the day.
"Now, listen," commanded Connie swiftly. "At breakfast you will inviteDicky and Tilly to come for a run in the motor. I don't know anythingabout that girl, but I had a long talk with her last night when we weregetting ready for bed, and she is the right sort. She seemed to likeme, too. What did you say?"
"Nothing," replied the exasperating William. "Go on."
"Anyhow," continued Connie, ignoring a mysterious chuckle, "I am notgoing to have her pumped and bullied by Lady Adela and Sylvia before shehas found her feet. Therefore we will take her and Dicky away for theday. Get your invitation off at breakfast, before Lady Adela beginsorganising a party for church. The young couple can have the back seatto themselves, and I will come in front with you."
"Anything you like," replied Carmyle cheerfully. He had been lookingforward to an indolent morning with Connie in the smoking-room, for hereally had had a hard week; but he never questioned the dispositions ofthe small goddess who controlled his movements. Whatever she ordainedwas right.
"Thank you, Bill darling! I love you very much."
Mrs. Carmyle stood upon tiptoe, and with an affectionate sighendeavoured to lay her head upon her husband's left shoulder. Mr.Carmyle gave her no assistance. He merely removed his sovereign-pursewith some ostentation from his left-hand waistcoat-pocket to his right.