"So he does," said Bill. "It's frightfully hard to escape from Codders once he's got interested in you. Jimmy will be caught in the toils before he knows where he is." "It's not Jimmy who's got caught--it's me," said Bundle wildly. "I shall have to meet endless Mrs. Macattas, and read political economy and discuss it with George, and heavens knows where it will end!" Bill whistled. "Poor old Bundle. Been laying it on a bit thick, haven't you?" "I must have done. Bill, I feel horribly entangled." "Never mind," said Bill consolingly. "George doesn't really believe in women standing for Parliament, so you won't have to stand up on platforms and talk a lot of junk, or kiss dirty babies in Bermondsey. Come and have a cocktail. It's nearly lunch time." Bundle got up and walked by his side obediently. "And I do so hate politics," she murmured piteously. "Of course you do. So do all sensible people. It's only people like Codders and Pongo who take them seriously and revel in them. But all the same," said Bill, reverting suddenly to a former point, "you oughtn't to let Codders hold your hand." "Why on earth not?" said Bundle. "He's known me all my life." "Well, I don't like it." "Virtuous William--Oh, I say, look at Superintendent Battle." They were just passing in through a side door. A cupboard-like room opened out of the little hallway. In it were kept golf clubs, tennis racquets, bowls and other features of country house life. Superintendent Battle was conducting a minute examination of various golf clubs. He looked up a little sheepishly at Bundle's exclamation. "Going to take up golf, Superintendent Battle?" "I might do worse, Lady Eileen. They say it's never too late to start. And I've got one good quality that will tell at any game." "What's that?" asked Bill. "I don't know when I'm beaten. If everything goes wrong, I turn to and start again!" And with a determined look on his face, Superintendent Battle came out and joined them, shutting the door behind him. CHAPTER XXV JIMMY LAYS HIS PLANS Jimmy Thesiger was feeling depressed. Avoiding George, whom he suspected of being ready to tackle him on serious subjects, he stole quietly away after lunch. Proficient as he was in details of the Santa Fé boundary dispute, he had no wish to stand an examination on it this minute. Presently what he hoped would happen came to pass. Loraine Wade, also unaccompanied, strolled down one of the shady garden paths. In a moment Jimmy was by her side. They walked for some minutes in silence and then Jimmy said tentatively: "Loraine?" "Yes?" "Look here, I'm a bad chap at putting things--but what about it? What's wrong with getting a special license and being married and living together happy ever afterwards?" Loraine displayed no embarrassment at this surprising proposal. Instead she threw back her head and laughed frankly. "Don't laugh at a chap," said Jimmy reproachfully.