“Can’t you look on me as a sort of Bunch?” said Theophilus.
She turned and began to retrace her steps towards the house. He walked by her side, the dog sedately following. There was silence. Presently he was aware that she was crying.
“My dear,” said he, “what’s the matter?”
She pulled herself together, swept her eyes with both hands.
“Don’t ask. Everything’s in an unholy mess.”
They issued through the clipped box doorway on to the lawn path. Luke came from the house to meet them. The emotional spell was broken. A few minutes later Luke and Daphne and the puppy, Napoleon, drove away, leaving Theophilus and a disconsolate Bunch standing lonely on the front steps of the house.
“Come into the library and let us talk things over,” said Theophilus. And when they were seated in front of th
