“Yes, but I can’t wade through it all again now, darling. We’re going out to meet her, and you can come too.”

“We have met her already,” Carlotta said. “On that narrow path, one could hardly shove by without uttering. We passed the time of day.”

“Perhaps it would be kinder to bring her indoors,” Julia suggested. “Bruno, darling, be an angel and ask Miss Harkness to come in.”

Bruno strolled away. Julia called after him: “And bring the children, darling, for Ricky to meet.” She gave Ricky a brilliant smile: “You have come in for a tricky luncheon haven’t you?” she said.

“I expect I can manage,” he replied, and the Pharamonds looked approvingly at him. Julia turned to Carlotta. “Would you say you were about the same size?” she asked.

“As who?”

“Darling, as Miss Harkness. Her present size, I mean, of course. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

“What is all this?” Carlotta demanded in a rising voice. “What’s Julia up to?”

“No good, you may depend upon it,” Jasper muttered. And to his wife: “Have you asked Miss Harkness to stay? Have you dared?”

“But where else is there for her to go? She can’t return to Mr. Harkness and be beaten up. In her condition. Face it.”

“They are coming,” said Louis, who was looking out the windows. “I don’t understand any of this. Is she lunching?”

“And staying, apparently,” said Carlotta. “And Julia wants me to give her my clothes.”

“Lend, not give, and only something for the night,” Julia urged. “Tomorrow there will be other arrangements.”

Children’s voices sounded in the hall. Bruno opened the door and two little girls rushed noisily in. They were aged about five and seven and wore nothing but denim trousers with crossover straps. They flung themselves upon their mother, who greeted them in a voice fraught with emotion.

“Dar-lings!” cried Julia, tenderly embracing them.