‘It is the right road. The Uddlemere turning was the right one. You wouldn’t let the horse go another five steps if it wasn’t. You’re as soppy about horses as as I am.’
‘There’s at least that bond of sympathy between us,’ she said drily. ‘Gran’fer’s Wantways is six and three–quarter miles from Udimore; Udimore is exactly five from us; total, eleven and three–quarters; twelve and a quarter if you add half a mile for Udimore itself. The name is Udimore, not Uddlemere. Local place–name enthusiasts derive this from “O’er the mere.” Absurd! Legend as follows: Church builders desiring to put church with relic of St Rumwold in wrong place, voice wailed: “O’er the mere.” Obviously absurd!… Putrid! “O’er the” by Grimm’s law impossible as “Udi”; “mere” not a middle low German word at all…’
‘Why,’
