I asked the Barters, but poor Rose didn't feel up to it. Of course they
are expecting it very soon now. They talk of the 15th of June."
Mr. Pendyce took from his wife his coat, passing his arms down the satin
sleeves.
"If I could get the cottagers to have families like that," he said, "I
shouldn't have much trouble about labour. They're a pig-headed lot--do
nothing that they're told. Give me some eau-de-Cologne, Margery."
Mrs. Pendyce dabbed the wicker flask on her husband's handkerchief.
"Your eyes look tired," she said. "Have you a headache, dear?"
CHAPTER VIII
COUNCIL AT WORSTED SKEYNES
It was on the following evening--the evening on which he was expecting
his son and Mr. Paramor that the Squire leaned forward over the
dining-table and asked:
"What do you say, Barter? I'm speaking to you as a man of the world."
The Rector bent over his glass of port and moistened his lower lip.
"There's no excuse for that woman," he answered. "I always thought she
was a bad lot."
Mr. Pendyce went on:
"We've never had a scandal in my family. I find the thought of it hard
to bear, Barter--I find it hard to bear----"
The Rector emitted a low sound. He had come from long usage to have a
feeling like affection for his Squire.
Mr. Pendyce pursued his thoughts.
Pages:
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191