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As Mrs. Merivale, though obviously friendly, was twisting her hands together in a demented way and quite speechless, Jane thought she had better break the ice and said she had heard that some of Mrs. Crawley's married daughters had been with her.

Mrs. Merivale said, "Yes."

"And Canon Banister's mother," said Jane.

Mrs. Merivale, wrenching her fingers nearly out of their sockets, said "Yes."

A friend of her father, Admiral Palliser, said Jane, had asked if they would find some lodgings for his daughter and governess during the summer holidays, and would like to be able to come down himself at week-ends. Could Mrs. Merivale consider that kind of let?

"Well, I suppose you'd like to see the rooms," said Mrs. Merivale after a choked silence and looking desperately about her.

"Please, if I may," said Jane. "And may I say how much I was struck by those flying ducks. I have never seen anything quite like them before."

Mrs. Merivale twisted one foot round the other in agony but appeared gratified.