Part 44 (1/2)

garden.

It was beautiful and peaceful there; she felt better after a while and

went in search of Mrs McCrea.

”Isn't Al back?

' she asked when they had settled the meals for the day.

”He'll be here before lunch,” declared Mrs McCrea.

She volunteered no further information, so presently Alethea took the

dogs for their walk while she pondered over the situation between herself and Sarre.

Well, it was hardly that.

Sarre wasn't an easy man to quarrel with, he just stood there looking

horribly calm; it was like hitting her head against a feather bolster. It was still damp from the rain in the park although it was a glorious morning; mindful of muddy paws, she took the dogs round the little steeg which led to the garages and the back garden gate and went into the house through the kitchen, drying the dogs on the way.

”T'll bring up the coffee presently,” Mrs McCrea told her.

”Nel's busy upstairs.

' ”T'll come down for it,” offered Alethea.

”It's only me to have it--my teacher doesn't come this morning.

' ”T'll bring it all the same, ma'am,” said the housekeeper in much the

same sort of voice that Mrs Bustle used when she disapproved of something Alethea wanted to do, so that she took herself out of the kitchen, the dogs running ahead of her.

As soon as she opened the service door they began to bark.

Sarre was in the hall, sitting on one of the marble-topped wall tables; they rushed at him and he fended them off gently as he got up.

”Hullo,” said Alethea, and then searched around for something else to

say.

To plunge into an apology for the previous evening seemed a little premature, besides, she had no idea what she would say.

”Have you forgotten something?

' she asked brightly.

”No, I find myself with a couple of hours to spare.

Shall we have coffee in the garden?

' She had the absurd notion that he was laughing at her.

”Yes, why not?

It's a lovely day.

I've just taken the dogs.

' What a silly remark, she thought vexedly, and turned with relief as

the front door opened and Al stood back to admit someone.

”Granny!