‘We don’t quite know,’ she said cheerfully, ‘if Thomas explained about my father-in-law’s portrait. He wishes to be painted in his own little theatre here. The backcloth has been hung and Paul knows about the lights. Papa would like to begin at eleven tomorrow morning, and if he is feeling up to it he will sit for an hour every morning and afternoon.’

‘I thought,’ said Miss Orrincourt, ‘it would be ever so thrilling if Noddy was on a horse in the picture.’

‘Sir Henry,’ said Millamant, without looking at her, ‘will, of course, have decided on the pose.’

‘But Aunt Milly,’ said Paul, very red in the face, ‘Mrs Alleyn might like—I mean—don’t you think—’

‘Yes, Aunt Milly,’ said Fenella.

‘Yes, indeed, Milly,’ said Cedric. ‘I so agree. Please, please Milly and Aunt Pauline, and please Sonia, angel, do consider that Mrs Alleyn is the one to—oh, my goodness,’ Cedric implored them, ‘pray do consider.’

‘I shall be very interested,’ said Troy, ‘to hear about Sir Henry’s plans.’

‘That,’ said Pauline, ‘will be very nice. I forgot to tell you, Millamant, that I heard from Dessy. She’s coming for The Birthday.’

‘I’m glad you let me know,’ said Millamant, looking rather put out.

‘And so’s Mummy, Aunt Milly,’ said Fenella. ‘I forgot to say.’

‘Well,’ said Millamant, with a short laugh, ‘I am learning about things, aren’t I?’

‘Jenetta coming? Fancy!’ said Pauline. ‘It must be two years since Jenetta was at Ancreton. I hope she’ll be able to put up with our rough and ready ways.’

‘Considering she’s been living in a two-roomed flat,’ Fenella began rather hotly and checked herself. ‘She asked me to say she hoped it wouldn’t be too many.’

‘I’ll move out of Bernhardt into Bracegirdle,’ Pauline offered. ‘Of course.’

‘You’ll do nothing of the sort, Pauline,’ said Millamant. ‘Bracegirdle is piercingly cold, the ceiling leaks, and there are rats. Desdemona complained bitterly about the rats last time she was here. I asked Barker to lay poison for them, but he’s lost the poison. Until he finds it, Bracegirdle is uninhabitable.’

‘Mummy could share Duse with me,’ said Fenella quickly. ‘We’d love it and it’d save fires.’

‘Oh, we couldn’t dream of that,’ said Pauline and Millamant together.

‘Mrs Alleyn,’ said Fenella loudly, ‘I’m going up to change. Would you like to see your room?’

‘Thank you,’ said Troy, trying not to sound too eager. ‘Thank you, I would.’