as one imagines the Nile.’

Gerald smiled at her factitious enthusiasm for the distant spot.

‘You’re sure it’s far enough off?’ he asked ironically, adding at once: ‘Yes, you might go there, if we could get a boat. They seem to be all out.’

He looked round the lake and counted the rowing boats on its surface.

‘How lovely it would be!’ cried Ursula wistfully.

‘And don’t you want tea?’ he said.

‘Oh,’ said Gudrun, ‘we could just drink a cup, and be off.’

He looked from one to the other, smiling. He was somewhat offended — yet sporting.