CHAPTER II--JUNE'S TREAT

Dinner began in silence; the women facing one another, and the men.

In silence the soup was finished--excellent, if a little thick; and fish was brought. In silence it was handed.

Bosinney ventured: "It's the first spring day."

Irene echoed softly: "Yes--the first spring day."

"Spring!" said June: "there isn't a breath of air!" No one replied.

The fish was taken away, a fine fresh sole from Dover. And Bilson brought champagne, a bottle swathed around the neck with white....

Soames said: "You'll find it dry."

Cutlets were handed, each pink-frilled about the legs. They were refused by June, and silence fell.

Soames said: "You'd better take a cutlet, June; there's nothing coming."

But June again refused, so they were borne away. And then Irene asked: "Phil, have you heard my blackbird?"

Bosinney answered: "Rather--he's got a hunting-song. As I came round I heard him in the Square."

"He's such a darling!"

"Salad, sir?" Spring chicken was removed.

But Soames was speaking: "The asparagus is very poor. Bosinney, glass of sherry with your sweet? June, you're drinking nothing!"

June said: "You know I never do. Wine's such horrid stuff!"

An apple charlotte came upon a silver dish, and smilingly Irene said: "The azaleas are so wonderful this year!"

To this Bosinney murmured: "Wonderful! The scent's extraordinary!"

June said: "How can you like the scent? Sugar, please, Bilson."

Sugar was handed her, and Soames remarked: "This charlottes good!"

The charlotte was removed. Long silence followed. Irene, beckoning, said: "Take out the azalea, Bilson. Miss June can't bear the scent."

What are the answers to this following set of questions:

1. What season is it?
2. When did it start?
3. What meal are they having?
4. Does June like wine?
5. Does she like cutlets?
6. Is she an agreeable person?
7. Is this a multi-course meal
8. What did they eat first?
9. Was it too thin?
10. What was next?
11. What kind?
12. What was offered to drink with the fish?
13. Who did not want a cutlet?
14. How many times did she decline?
15. Who tried to convince her to have some?
16. How does he feel about the vegetable?
17. Does Bosinney like the smell of the flowers?
18. Who doesn't?
19. Do they get removed?
20. Who does Irene ask to get rid of the azalea?

Numbered answers:
1. spring
2. the first spring day
3. Dinner
4. no
5. no
6. unknown
7. no
8. soup
9. thick
10. fish
11. sole
12. champagne
13. June
14. twice
15. Soames
16. that is very poor
17. yes
18. Miss June
19. unknown
20. Bilson