Chapter XLArchie felt a tug at his sleeve. Margot had jumped up, scattering her chocolates. She hung on his arm, laughing and excited.
‘Archie, you didn’t guess, did you? Papa, I didn’t tell him. I wanted to frightfully, but I didn’t. So you see I can keep a promise. I didn’t tell him a single word—did I, Archie? Archie, isn’t it frightfully exciting about Papa not being drowned? Papa, may I tell him all about it now? Because we’re very nearly engaged—aren’t we, Archie? Papa, he won’t propose to me because he says I’m not old enough. Archie, if Papa says I’m old enough, will you do it properly? Papa—’
Mr Standing put a hand on her shoulder.
‘I want to talk to Mr Millar. Run away and play.’
Margot pouted, then brightened.
‘My hands are a bit sticky. If I go and wash them, will that be
