days were getting shorter now, and that the sky looked like rain. And when the wagonette rumbled under the porte-cochère and the horses stamped and jingled, her insides fluttered like a flight of birds, and she pushed her hand in its new biscuit suède glove under Joe's comforting arm.
A butler ambled down the steps for their bag—a butler! Joe hadn't told her there was going to be a butler. Oh, Joe, I'm scared to death, but I'll try not to disgrace you, darling. With an uplifted face of disdain she entered the hall.
Carrie Pyne drifted toward them, moaning:
"Well, Kate! Well, Joe! Here you are!"
"Yes, here we are!"
They all laughed vaguely and politely.
"Mrs. Whipple's resting until dinner. She sent her dear, dear love—at least, I know she would have if—Oh, Kate! Did you hurt yourself? Those bears' heads are terrible in the dark corners. I don't suppose you'd care for a cup of tea before you go to your rooms?"
"Oh, no in
" Kate began obediently; but Joe broke in, "We would very much, thank you.""Oh—ah—Harcourt, could you please just bring us some tea?"
"Tea, miss?" said Harcourt in an astonished voice.
"Yes, please, just—yes, please. I don't know why Harcourt's always so surprised. We have it ever so often, but he's always just as— Hm! Hm!"