“Oh, no,” she said. “I see what you mean, MacDonald. N-no⁠—William had better get on with the lower border.”

“That’s what I thocht meself, m’lady.”

“Yes,” said Lady Coote. “Yes. Certainly.”

“I thocht you’d agree, m’lady,” said MacDonald.

“Oh, certainly,” said Lady Coote again.

MacDonald touched his hat and moved away.

Lady Coote sighed unhappily and looked after him. Jimmy Thesiger, replete with kidneys and bacon, stepped out on to the terrace beside her and sighed in quite a different manner.

“Topping morning, eh?” he remarked.

“Is it?” said Lady Coote absently. “Oh, yes, I suppose it is. I hadn’t noticed.”

“Where are the others? Punting on the lake?”