a little. They had been to Italy.”

“But, Cecil — ” proceeded hilariously.

“In the course of conversation they said that they wanted a country cottage — the father to live there, the son to run down for week-ends. I thought, 'What a chance of scoring off Sir Harry!' and I took their address and a London reference, found they weren't actual blackguards — it was great sport — and wrote to him, making out — ”

“Cecil! No, it's not fair. I've probably met them before — ”

He bore her down.

“Perfectly fair. Anything is fair that punishes a snob. That old man will do the neighbourhood a world of good.