laughed Birkin.

‘I take no notice of them,’ laughed the bridegroom.

‘What about this race then — who began it?’ Gerald asked.

‘We were late. Laura was at the top of the churchyard steps when our cab came up. She saw Lupton bolting towards her. And she fled. But why do you look so cross? Does it hurt your sense of the family dignity?’

‘It does, rather,’ said Gerald. ‘If you’re doing a thing, do it properly, and if you’re not going to do it properly, leave it alone.’

‘Very nice aphorism,’ said Birkin.

‘Don’t you agree?’ asked Gerald.