Chapter Fifteen #2
“Before we ventured into such deep waters, we were wondering if we ought to offer to throw the rhinoceros out. He’s big and stubborn, but between the two of us we ought to be able to manage it. What do you think, Mrs. Fletcher?”
“Should we tell our esteemed host that we’re not merely willing but anxious to go big game hunting?”
Armitage grinned. “It’d make a change from angling.”
“No,” said Daisy.
“No?” Carlin was disappointed. “Expound, pray.”
“If you ask me, Mr. Pritchard is perfectly capable of routing Rhino if he chooses. If he lets him stay till Monday, which is when he’s supposed to leave, it’s for his own reasons. Better not to interfere.”
“By Jove, wheels within wheels we wot not of!” Carlin exclaimed facetiously.
“Not at all. Just better to let sleeping rhinoceroses lie,” Daisy advised.
“If only he would sleep,” Armitage sighed.
“He hasn’t come down yet,” Daisy pointed out. “Enjoy the peace and quiet while you may. Don’t let me interrupt the fishing. You must strike while the fish are biting.”
They took her at her word. She was able to add her own mite to the discussion as her brother Gervaise had occasionally condescended to take her fishing with him on the Severn in her youth, in another world.
Gervaise, had he survived the trenches, would not have approved of this world where his sister consorted on the friendliest of terms with a plumber, she thought sadly.
Howell came in next. “Glad to see you’re up and about,” he said to Carlin. “What do you suppose is the earliest we can expect your lord and master to be ready to go into Swindon?”
“Eleven. At the very earliest. He has to have his after-breakfast stroll alone with his cigar and his thoughts or his digestion goes wonky. You saw him strolling up and down the terrace yesterday, remember.”
“Pity it’s not raining,” said Howell, glancing at the window.
“Believe me, you wouldn’t want to try to work with him when his digestion’s wonky.
It’s a concession to work at all today. He doesn’t usually come in to the office on Saturdays, though I’m junior enough to have to put in a brief appearance.
It’s a good job there’s not much left to be done.
I shouldn’t think you’ll be able to keep him at it for very long, and he’ll expect at least an hour’s lunch break. ”
“I don’t want to hold it over till Monday.” Howell frowned. “I have other business scheduled. If we don’t leave till eleven, I doubt we’ll be home before five.”
Carlin shrugged. “Sorry, old chap, nothing I can do about it.”
“ ‘The customer is always right,’ ” Howell said with a sigh. “I sometimes think it’s a pity Selfridge ever coined the phrase.”
“I’m supposed to be playing golf tomorrow, myself, in Essex. It’s a tournament. I was hoping to catch a train back to town tonight.”
“That shouldn’t be difficult. Swindon being a junction on the Bristol line, there are plenty of fast trains.”
“Good! I’ll pack my bag and take it with me. But first, another sausage or two. May I bring you something, Mrs. Fletcher?”
Daisy was munching a second muffin when Pritchard, Julia, and Lucy came in.
“I’m going to tour the house with you, Daisy,” said Lucy. “I have two unused plates left, and plenty of magnesium, so I’ll take a couple of photos for you if you see anything you’d like for your article.”
“You’re all finished with the grotto, are you?” Armitage asked.
“Yes. A good job I caught the sun yesterday. It looks like rain.”
“The grotto’s a bit dank in wet weather,” Pritchard conceded, “though the hermit’s lair is cosy with the fire lit.”
“I know Alec will want to see it,” said Daisy. “How about Gerald, Lucy? Do you think he’s interested?”
“I haven’t the slightest, but if so he can go with you and Alec. I’ve had enough of tramping that path. What time did you say they’re arriving?”
“Barker told me four o’clock. Good morning, Rhino.”
Rhino produced a morose grunt and waved a sort of greeting with his cigarette holder, already sending up a tendril of smoke. Without further acknowledgement of the company, he headed for the food.
“It’ll still be light enough to see the grotto in daylight, then,” Lucy said. “Or were you going to show Alec the night spectacle?”
“Depends what the weather looks like. I wouldn’t want to tackle the path at night in the rain.”
“Just let me know if you want to go after dark,” said Pritchard, “and I’ll have the lamps lit for you.”
“I’ll do it,” Armitage volunteered. He smiled at Julia as he spoke. No doubt she would join the tour.
Pritchard got up. “I’ve one or two things to see to in my den, Mrs. Fletcher. If you wouldn’t mind, you and Lady Gerald, coming there in half an hour or so, I’ll give you the grand tour.”
Having eaten all she wanted, if not more, Daisy sat on with another cup of tea, chatting. Eventually Sir Desmond put in an appearance. Howell and Carlin watched in dismay as the Principal Deputy Secretary helped himself to a huge plateful.
Daisy heard Howell mutter to Carlin, “We’ll be lucky to finish our business before dinner! Never mind, lad, there’s a good late train.”
Unfortunately, Rhino also overheard. “Anxious to get away early, are you?” he said with a sneer. “All you bureaucrats are bone-lazy slackers. Take the taxpayer’s money and do as little work as possible.”
Carlin turned scarlet. “Sir Desmond, Mr. Howell, I’ll be in my room when you’re ready to leave,” he said with quiet dignity. “Excuse me, ladies.”
Sir Desmond turned a long, considering look on Rhino, but sat down without saying anything and began his breakfast.
It was left to Julia to utter what everyone was thinking. “Rhino, you really are irredeemably vulgar.”
Rhino stared at her with blank incomprehension. “You must be thinking of some other fellow,” he said. “My shield has more quarterings than nine out of ten peers. Hasn’t been a commoner in the family in three centuries.”