‘Something to cheer you up, darling,’ said Mrs. Barton.
Alice was very grateful and hugged her mother, feeling secretly that a good breakfast before one was hanged wasn’t really of much use.
Then Mr. Barton came in, asking where Guy was. Horton was sent to look for Mr. Guy in his room, and meanwhile Guy came into the drawing-room by the other door from his father’s study, where he had been helping himself to some cigarettes and stamps, and everything was confusion. When Horton had been reclaimed, showing well-bred umbrage at his vain errand, Mr. Barton had forgotten what he wanted Guy for.
‘You can ring up if it’s anything important, Walter,’ said Mrs. Barton. ‘And Guy, darling, please ask Lord Pomfret if he can lend me that book by his Italian cousin. He’ll know the one I mean. It was
