“That’s it.” “Did I see you talking to the detective this morning before breakfast?” Lord Caterham sighed. “Yes, he buttonholed me in the hall. I do think the hours before breakfast should be sacred. I shall have to go abroad. The strain on my nerves——” Bundle interrupted unceremoniously. “What did he say?” “Said every one who wanted to could clear out.” “Well,” said Bundle, “that’s all right. That’s what you’ve been wanting.” “I know. But he didn’t leave it at that. He went on to say that nevertheless he wanted me to ask every one to stay on.” “I don’t understand,” said Bundle, wrinkling her nose. “So confusing and contradictory,” complained Lord Caterham. “And before breakfast too.” “What did you say?” “Oh, I agreed, of course. It’s never any good arguing with these people. Especially before breakfast,” continued Lord Caterham, reverting to his principal grievance. “Who have you asked so far?” “Cade. He was up very early this morning. He’s going to stop on. I don’t mind that. I can’t quite make the fellow out; but I like him—I like him very much.” “So does Virginia,” said Bundle, drawing a pattern on the table with her fork. “Eh?” “And so do I. But that doesn’t seem to matter.” “And I asked Isaacstein,” continued Lord Caterham. “Well?” “But fortunately he’s got to go back to town. Don’t forget to order the car for the 10.40, by the way.” “All right.” “Now if I can only get rid of Fish too,” continued Lord Caterham, his spirits rising. “I thought you liked talking to him about your mouldy old books.” “So I do, so I do. So I did, rather. But it gets monotonous when one finds that one is always doing all the talking. Fish is very interested, but he never volunteers any statements of his own.” “It’s better than doing all the listening,” said Bundle. “Like one does with George Lomax.” Lord Caterham shuddered at the remembrance. “George is all very well on platforms,” said Bundle. “I’ve clapped him myself, though of course I know all the time that he’s talking balderdash. And anyway I’m a Socialist——” “I know, my dear, I know,” said Lord Caterham hastily. “It’s all right,” said Bundle. “I’m not going to bring politics into the house. That’s what George does—public speaking in private life. It ought to be abolished by Act of Parliament.” “Quite so,” said Lord Caterham. “What about Virginia?” asked Bundle. “Is she to be asked to stop on?” “Battle said everybody.” “Says he firmly! Have you asked her to be my stepma yet?” “I don’t think it would be any good,” said Lord Caterham mournfully. “Although she did call me a darling last night. But that’s the worst of these attractive young women with affectionate dispositions. They’ll say anything, and they mean absolutely nothing by it.” “No,” agreed Bundle. “It would have been much more hopeful if she’d thrown a boot at you or tried to bite you.” “You modern young people seem to have such unpleasant ideas about love-making,” said Lord Caterham plaintively.