"Right-O! Now we'll drink to Nigel's very good health. Have some, old girl. No? But I say, you look as if you needed it. You're as white as chalk." "It's only the heat. What's your news, Len?" "Nothing much, really--only that little misshapen monkey Quentin Lowe's engaged to be married." "Quentin Lowe...." Janey's voice seemed to her to come from very far away, as if some one in another part of the room were speaking. She grew sick and faint, but at the same time knew it was all ridiculous. "Yes--I don't wonder you're surprised. Guess whom to." "Are you sure--quite sure?" "Yes, of course. I had it from his father. Guess whom to." "I can't ... I--I can't believe it." "Yes, it's no end of a joke, isn't it? You'd never think a woman would be fool enough to have him, when you can get the genuine article from any organ-grinder. But stop laughing, Janey, and guess who it is." "I--I can't.... Did you really hear it from his father?... It can't be true. Quentin's in London." "He's been there for the last three months, but he came home on Wednesday." "Wednesday----" "Yes--why not? But you haven't guessed who the girl is yet." "I can't guess ... tell me, Len." "Well, it's Strife's youngest daughter, the one that's just come out." Janet made a grab at Leonard's half-emptied glass and drained it. "That's it--drink her health. She'll need it." "Len--did--did you really hear it from old Lowe?" "Well, I heard it first of all in the Wheatsheaf. I've been as thirsty as hell all the afternoon, so on my way back from the post-office I turned in at the old pub for a pint. Dunk told me, Dunk of Golden Compasses. Then no sooner had I got outside than I saw the old devil-dodger prancing along, and I couldn't resist howling to him--'Hear your son's engaged--wish him victory in the strife.' He looked poisonous, so I just said, 'You'll be letting strife into your household.' To which he deigned reply, 'I am--ah--um--completely--ah--satisfied with my--ah--son's--um--matrimonial choice." Janey managed to reach the window. "He met her a lot in town, I believe. Of course, he'd known her father down here, but had never met the girl herself. I believe it all happened pretty quick. Dunk says so. I don't see how he knows, but every one always seems to know everything about engaged couples." "Is that all?" "What more do you want?--I'm off now to Cherrygarden Farm--I promised Wilsher I'd be round to look at those chicks of his." "Don't be long...." "What time's supper?" "Any time you like." "Well, make it half-past eight. It's a good peg over to Cherrygarden, and if I come back by Dormans I can send another wire to Nigel." "Oh, don't, Len!" "Why ever not?" "I don't see that it's so ... so very important that he should know." "About what?" "The--the engagement."