"Well, we'll all be most disappointed, Dora, but of course if you don't feel well enough, you're much wiser to stay at home." "But I'd be sorry to disappoint you all. As I said before, it's a pity you chose this date for your party, but still, I must make the effort and come, only don't expect me to be very bright." "How nice of you; that really is delightful." Mrs. Rodney tried to infuse a note of warmth into her voice, but as she heard Mrs. Edwin's voice beginning plaintively "Of course I must say---" she added loudly and hurriedly, "Well, au revoir, and I'm sure you'll be none the worse of it," and rang off. Exasperated and depressed she got up and walked up and down the room in a state of uncharacteristic agitation. She was beset by minor difficulties: Lavinia's annoyance at the merest hint of what to wear; Jessica unable to manage her servant, in need of help and guidance, but quite probably ready to resent both; Dora in her most tiresome and difficult mood. Mrs. Rodney sighed impatiently and rang the bell. When the butler appeared she sat down again at her desk, took up a list and ran through it. "About dinner to-night, there are one or two things to arrange. First of all, Rayner, I want you to be on the upper landing to show everyone into the drawing-room. Evans must open the front door, but I specially want you to announce everyone in full. Mrs. Greene is staying in the house but I want her announced too, and be careful just to call her Mrs. Greene, and to give the others their full names. You know Mrs. Hugh Greene of course, but young Mr. Hugh and his wife must be announced as Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Beckett Greene." "I quite understand, Madam. There will be Mrs. Greene, Mrs. Hugh Greene, Mrs. Edwin Greene, Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Greene and Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Beckett Greene." "Yes, that's right. I'll order flowers for the table when I'm out this morning, and I want the Lowestoft service and the Wedgwood fruit plates of course. It's a family dinner, but in a way it's a celebration." She smiled at Rayner, confident of his interest in everything pertaining to the family. "I'll see to everything myself, Madam," he assured her. "Mr. Greene has told you what champagne to bring up?" she asked. "Yes Madam, but young Mrs. Hugh never takes champagne. Should I open a bottle of Chablis for her?" "No, certainly not. She must take a little to-night." "Thank you, Madam. Cook desired me to ask you if you would care for the ice pudding to be shaped like a bell and garnished with orange blossom. She can make a nice sugar wreath to decorate the dish." "What a good idea. Yes, tell cook that will be very nice, and that it is very good of her to have thought out a little compliment for Miss Jessica. I think that's all, thank you."