"
Miss Limpenny groaned. "To meet an Honourable, Lavinia!"
The leaven was working.
However, on the following Monday everybody was assembled in the
little drawing-room. The Vicar was there in evening dress; the
doctor and his wife; Mr. Simpson and Mrs. Simpson in the crimson
gown; the Saunders boys in carpet slippers (at sight of which Miss
Limpenny went hot and cold by turns); the Misses Buzza in
book-muslin, with ultramarine sashes and bronze shoes laced
sandal-wise; their mother in green satin and deadly terror lest the
Admiral's voice should penetrate the party-wall. Mr. Moggridge was
frowning gloomily in a corner at some humorous story of Sam Buzza's
telling. In short, with the exception of their Admiral, all Trojan
society had gathered to do honour to the new-comers.
Miss Limpenny, nervously toying with her best brooch, rose in a
flutter as the door opened and admitted them.
"So afraid we are late! but the clocks at 'The Bower' have not yet
recovered from their journey."
Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys gazed calmly about her. There was a rustle
throughout the room; two pink spots appeared on Miss Limpenny's
cheeks; she stumbled in her words of welcome. The Vicar frowned and
looked puzzled.
Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys wore a low-necked gown!
It was a shock; but it passed.
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