CHAPTER XXIII

UNEXPECTED SUPPORT

The day after Andrew's return he was sitting in the library at Ghyllside, waiting for dinner. Though a fire burned on the hearth by which he lounged, cigarette in hand, two of the tall windows were open and the air that flowed in was soft and muggy. He had spent most of the day in shooting, and after a long walk across wet meadows and a boggy moor he now felt very comfortable and somewhat drowsy. He would have to bestir himself when the guests he expected arrived, and he was enjoying a few minutes' rest. His cigarette was, however, only half smoked when Wannop walked in.

"As I didn't see you downstairs I came up to look for you; Gertrude's with Hilda. Haven't Florence and Leonard arrived yet?"

"Train seems to be late," Andrew replied. "I suppose I should have gone to meet them, but I felt lazy."

"Was that all?"

"It wasn't my only reason. To tell the truth, I shirked the drive home with Leonard. I'm a poor dissembler and our relations are rather strained. It will be easier to meet him when there are others about."

"They'll be on his side."

"I expect so; but I'm not afraid of direct opposition. It's beating about a delicate subject and trying to keep on safe ground that bothers me."

"I know; it's embarrassing. You won't be able to broach matters of any importance to-night."

"No. We'll have one or two outside people here and I want my homecoming to be harmonious. We'll let things stand over till to-morrow."

Answer this series of questions:

1. Who was with Hilda?
2. Were Florence and Leonard there?
3. Why not?
4. Who was supposed to meet them?
5. Where was he sitting?
6. Where was that?
7. Was he about to have breakfast?
8. What meal?
9. What was he doing while he waited?
10. What was the temperature of the room?
11. Was he wide awake?
12. What had he been doing all day?
13. Was he a smoker?
14. Who walked into the room he was in?
15. Why didn't Andrew want to meet Leonard?
16. How long had Andrew been home?
17. Was he intending on discussing anything of importance that night?
18. Why not?
19. When would he rather discuss things?
20. What type of topic was it?
1. Gertrude
2. no
3. Train seems to be late
4. Andrew
5. in the library
6. at Ghyllside
7. no
8. dinner
9. he was enjoying a few minutes' rest.
10. unknown
11. no
12. He had spent most of the day in shooting,
13. yes
14. Wannop
15. their relations are rather strained.
16. one day
17. no
18. he wants his homecoming to be harmonious
19. tomorrow."
20. about a delicate subject