"You naughty things!" she said. "Do all come into the garden! It's a
garden party, and I couldn't guess where you had all gone. What's all
this about singing and playing? I know nothing of it."
She herded the incredulous crowd out into the garden again, all in
their Hightums, every one of them, only to meet Lady Ambermere with Pug
and Miss Lyall coming in.
"Better be going, Miss Lyall," she said. "Kindly run out and find my
people. Oh, here's Mrs Lucas. Been very pleasant indeed, thank you,
good-bye. Your charming garden. Yes."
"Oh, but it's very early," said Lucia. "It's hardly six yet."
"Indeed!" said Lady Ambermere. "Been so charming," and she marched out
after Miss Lyall out into Shakespeare's garden.
It was soon terribly evident that other people were sharing Lady
Ambermere's conclusion about the delights of the afternoon, and the
necessity of getting home. Colonel Boucher had to take his bull-dogs
for a run and walk off the excitement of the party; Piggy and Goosie
explained to their mother that nobody was going to sing, and by silvery
laughter tried to drown her just indignation, and presently Lucia had
the agony of seeing Mrs Quantock seated on one of the thrones, that had
been designed for much worthier ends, and Peppino sitting in the other,
while a few guests drifted about the lawn with all the purposelessness
of autumn leaves.
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