Читать книгу Miss Bunting онлайн

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As he spoke he was walking round the table, filling glasses.

"Put an extra glass beside me, Fielding," said the Admiral. "I think I know what Gradka likes."

Surprised, but willing, Sir Robert did as the Admiral asked and returned to his seat. Robin and Anne came back, shutting the door behind them and sat down.

"It's all right, daddy," said Anne. "She has to knock at the door, and you must say----"

But before she could finish, there was a loud single knock or rather bang on the door. Everyone felt nervous, for the capability for taking offence among Mixo-Lydian refugees is well known to have no bounds, and it was probable that whatever they did would be wrong.

"Oh, daddy!" said Anne in an agonized whisper, "say----"

But the Admiral, who had been looking on with some amusement, uttered a loud and barbarous monosyllable, the door was opened and Gradka came in. Seldom had she looked less attractive than at this moment, her large face and the plaits encircling her head damp with the heat of cooking, her lumpish figure enveloped in a checked apron.