‘Where would you like it? Shall it be in here, or out on the grass?’

‘Where shall we have tea?’ sang Hermione to the company at large.

‘On the bank by the pond. And WE’LL carry the things up, if you’ll just get them ready, Mrs Salmon,’ said Birkin.

‘All right,’ said the pleased woman.

The party moved down the passage into the front room. It was empty, but clean and sunny. There was a window looking on to the tangled front garden.

‘This is the dining room,’ said Hermione. ‘We’ll measure it this way, Rupert — you go down there — ’

‘Can’t I do it for you,’