“Yes indeed, I'm sure,” said Mrs. Cooper heartily, “and many, many of them.”
Miss Cooper murmured words to the same effect, and Humphreys attempted a pleasantry about painting the whole calendar red, which, though greeted with shrill laughter, was evi- dently not fully understood. At this point they proceeded to luncheon.
“Do you know this part of the country at all, Mr. Humphreys?” said Mrs. Cooper, after a short interval. This was a better opening.
“No, I'm sorry to say I do not,” said Humphreys. “It seems very pleasant, what I could see of it coming down in the train.”
“Oh, it is a pleasant part. Really, I sometimes say I don’t know a nicer district, for the country; and the people round, too: such a quantity always going on. But I'm afraid you've come a little late for some of the better garden parties, Mr. Humphreys.”
“I suppose I have; dear me, what a pity!” said Humphreys, with a gleam of relief; and then, feeling that something more could be got out of this topic, “But after all, you
