“I suppose Sir Oswald will be buying a place of his own one of these days,” suggested Jimmy. “And then you can have it just as you like.”

Lady Coote shook her head sadly.

“Sir Oswald talks of a firm doing it⁠—and you know what that means.”

“Oh! But they’d consult you!”

“It would be one of those grand places⁠—all for the antique. They’d look down on the things I call comfortable and homey. Not but that Sir Oswald wasn’t very comfortable and satisfied in his home always, and I daresay his tastes are just the same underneath. But nothing will suit him now but the best! He’s got on wonderfully, and naturally he wants something to show for it, but many’s the time I wonder where it will end.”

Jimmy looked sympathetic.