"Dear Lady
Ambermere, I hope they are all taking care of you."
"A very decent peach," said Lady Ambermere. "The south wall of my
garden is covered with them, and they are always of a peculiarly
delicious flavour. The Hall is famed for its peaches. I understood that
Miss Bracely was going to be here, Mrs Lucas. I cannot imagine what
makes her so late. I was always famed for my punctuality myself. I have
finished my tea."
The lawn outside was now growing thick with people all in their
Hightums, and Lady Ambermere as she emerged from the smoking-parlour
again viewed the scene with marked disfavour. The two Miss Antrobuses
had just arrived, and skipped up to their hostess with pretty cries.
"We are dreadfully late," said the eldest, "but it was all Piggy's
fault."
"No, Goosie, it was yours," said the other. "How can you be so naughty
as to say it was mine? Dear Mrs Lucas, what a lovely party it's being,
and may we go and play bowls?"
Lady Ambermere regarded their retreating backs, as they raced off with
arms intertwined to the bowling green.
"And who are those young ladies?" she asked. "And why Piggy and Goosie?
Miss Lyall, do not let Pug go to the bowls. They are very heavy."
Elsewhere Mrs Antrobus was slowly advancing from group to group, with
her trumpet violently engaged in receiving refreshment. But
conversation was not quite so varied as usual, for there was an
attitude of intense expectation about with regard to the appearance of
Miss Bracely, that made talk rather jerky and unconnective.
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