“One drives about, of course. I mean, it’s miles cheaper when you want to get anywhere.”

“But I never do want to get anywhere.”

“I’m sure Maurice would exercise it for you,” said Margaret, smiling.

She obviously didn’t mean to be malicious, but Maurice answered rather shortly:

“I don’t quite see what the point of that would be.”

Later, Edward did a balancing trick with a knife, two glasses and an orange. It was not a very difficult trick. The principal wonder lay in Edward’s being able to do it. He seemed to hold himself steady by sheer will. And Maurice kept repeating:

“Edward, you are marvellous.”

“Can you do this?” said Edward, picking up the knife and addressing only Maurice. He had turned in his chair, away from the others. He slowly opened his fist, until the knife seemed to cling unsupported to the palm.

“How on earth do you do that?” Maurice asked, round-eyed.

“Just watch once more.”

Edward sat smiling, holding the knife aloft like a snake-charmer. From the tone of his voice, he and Maurice might have been alone together in the room. Eric suddenly glanced at Margaret Lanwin. She smiled back at him.

“No, I haven’t an idea. Do tell me, Edward.”

“Watch once more.”

Maurice watched.

“Oh, you might tell me!”

“Do you see how it’s done?” asked Edward, suddenly turning to Eric.

Eric felt himself blushing angrily as he answered:

“Yes.”

He picked up the knife, holding Edward’s faintly mocking gaze with his own. Slowly, awkwardly, he opened his hand.

“Oh, how clever of you!” said Margaret.

“I believe I see how it’s done now,” said Maurice.

Edward was silent. He only smiled, filled himself another glass of whisky. Eric flushed a deeper red. There was a long pause.

“I ought—it’s time I was going,” said Eric abruptly.

“Oh, Eric,” said Maurice, with sudden concern; “you can’t go yet.”

But Eric had already risen to his feet. Margaret Lanwin looked at her watch.

“Where can I find out about trains?”

“In the Porter’s Lodge,” said Maurice. “I’ll show you.”

But he obviously didn’t want to leave Edward Blake.

“Oh, by the way, Edward,” he said, “hadn’t we better go and see the room I’ve booked for you? You mayn’t like it.”

Rather to his own surprise, Eric found himself saying to Margaret:

“If you care to come with me, I can find out about the trains at our Lodge.”

She rose at once.

“Thank you very much.” Turned to Maurice:

“And thank you very much indeed for my wonderful lunch.”

To Edward she said:

“Shall I see you again?”

“Come back here for tea,” said Maurice—“the only thing is, if we don’t happen to be here—I mean—you won’t mind——?”

Margaret smiled: