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Iris threw up her hands. "Sale, what am I to do about that girl?"

"I'm sure I don't know'm."

"Well, Chaffage, the point is—what's happening now? Is the car coming at once?"

"Unfortunately, Mum, Elphinstone wasn't told you was expected, and he's taken the engine down. He can't bring your car, but Miss Lesley promised he should come in his own."

"That miserable little rattletrap. . . . We'll never get the luggage in. Sale, I told you that you've brought too much."

"I've brought no more than I need'm."

"Well, it'll have to come later by the van if there isn't room for it."

"There'll be plenty of room on the back seat."

"That's where you shall sit, then, and I hope it squashes you. I shall sit in front with Elphinstone."

Sale made no reply, and Iris's attention was diverted by the behavior of the woman on the bench beside them. For some moments she had been looking as if she wanted to speak, and now she said, "Excuse me . . ."

The duty of charm has its limits, and Iris's look was not encouraging. But the stranger continued, "I think we're both in the same fix. I thought I was going to be met by the Doleham Manor car. My name's Gailey, Mrs. Gailey."