“How about it if Murdoch, and Iain MacDonald tag on to us the way they did yesterday?” Myrtle asked.

“Oh, I’ve thought of a splendid plan to get them out of the way. Yes, I’m going to ask them to take the full measurements of Knocknacolly Lodge, and I’m going to ask Kilwhillie to go with them.”

“And what about Catriona and Mary?”

“Oh, they don’t like us, Myrtle. They despise us, darling, for being so effeminate.”

Myrtle sat pensive.

“Why so thoughtful all of a sudden?” Carrie asked.

“I was thinking what a man would feel like walking out of church with one of those two and knowing it was no use, he just had to go through with it. I guess it would be easier to marry the Venus of Milo. She’s big and she’s hard and she’d be pretty cold, but she hasn’t any arms.”

“I don’t think you ought to think thoughts like that when you’re not married.”

“That’s the time to think them, angel child. It will be too late afterwards.”

After asking Toker to make up a lunch packet for herself and Myrtle, Carrie found Kilwhillie and the two MacDonalds in the Great Hall.

“Oh, isn’t this fine,” she exclaimed. “Just the very people I wanted. I wonder if you three very charming gentlemen would do me a favour.”

Kilwhillie tugged at his moustache and bowed with what he believed was the kind of courtliness a middle-aged bachelor should show to a young married woman.”

“I’m sure we shall be delighted.”

“I was wondering if you would all three go over to Knocknacolly and bring me back the measurements of the Lodge so that I can plan out the alterations we want to make. It would be so very kind and helpful.”

“But I thought I was going to drive you over there this morning,” said Kilwhillie, a little ruefully.

“Well, that’s just it, but I feel sort of dull and heavy and headachy. I guess it’s the weather. So I’m going to be mean and cry off. And that’s why I wondered if you’d come to my rescue,” she added, turning the full power of her greenish eyes on Murdoch and Iain.

“I’ll do any measuring you want,” the sailor volunteered.

“So will I,” the undergraduate echoed.

“I know I’m asking a lot, but I want the full measurements of every room and the garden and all the outhouses. I expect it’ll mean rather a long business. I’ve just asked Toker to make up a packet of sandwiches for Myrtle and me because we thought you could drop us where the road turns off to Glenbristle. Will I ask him to prepare three packets of sandwiches for you in case you can’t get your measuring done before lunch?”

“Oh, don’t bother,” said Kilwhillie. “We’ll …”