From Irene’s face the colour had flown.

“I am going for a drive that day with Uncle Swithin,” she answered.

“Uncle Swithin! What does he matter? You can throw him over!”

“I am not in the habit of throwing people over!”

There was a sound of footsteps and June saw Soames standing just behind her.

“Well! if you are all ready,” said Irene, looking from one to the other with a strange smile, “dinner is too!”

June’s Treat

Dinner began in silence; the women facing one another, and the men.

In silence the soup was finished⁠—excellent, if a little thick; and fish was brought. In silence it was handed.