CHAPTER XIVWhat Jean noticed first was their increasing niceness. It wasn't that she saw much of either Ian or Reggie; every day they went out early and came in late. If they weren't hunting hinds, they were shooting partridges. Their short days, filled with guns, dogs, and the scent of dead leaves, were quite independent of women. But however late they came home, they seemed to want Jean to pour out their tea. They made no arrangements for visits or visitors, and spent their evenings after dinner sitting with Jean before a cedar-wood fire. When they knew she really didn't mind, they smoked long cigars--which smelt like good tea--and then abandoned themselves to the comfort of pipes. No tension, no bitter challenge from their hidden passions broke in upon their placid deep communion. As lo
