Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 1.djvu/160

146 "In a fly too? I'm afraid," said Mrs. Beever, "that with such an incubation it will really require one." After a moment she added: "I'll go in and look at it first." And then, as her attendant was about to rustle away, she further detained her. "Mr. Bream hasn't been over?"

"Not yet, ma'am."

Mrs. Beever consulted her watch. "Then he's still at the Bank."

"He must be indeed, ma'am."

Tony's colleague appeared for a little to ponder this prompt concurrence; after which she said: "You haven't seen Miss Jean?"

Manning bethought herself. "I believe, ma'am, Miss Jean is dressing."

"Oh, in honour" But Mrs. Beever's idea dropped before she finished her sentence.

Manning ventured to take it up. "In honour of her birthday, ma'am."

"I see—of course. And do you happen to have heard if that's what also detains Miss Effie—that she's dressing in honour of hers?"

Manning hesitated. "I heard, ma'am, this morning that Miss Effie had a slight cold."