as she said:
‘We had to let this go to seed during the war. Both gardeners called up. And now we’ve only got one old man – and he’s not much good. Wages have gone up so terribly. I must say it’s a blessing to realize that we’ll be able to spend a little money on the place now. We’re both so fond of it. I was really afraid that we might have to sell it . . . Not that I suggested anything of the kind to Timothy. It would have upset him – dreadfully.’
They drew up before the portico of a very old Georgian house which badly needed a coat of paint.
‘No servants,’ said Maude bitterly, as she led the way in. ‘Just a couple of women who come in. We had a resident maid until a month ago – slightly hunchbacked and terribly adenoidal and in many ways not too bright, but she was there which was such a comfort – and quite good at plain cooking. And would you believe it, she gave notice and went to a fool of a woman who keeps six Pekinese dogs (it’s a larger house than this and more work) because she was “so fond of little doggies,” she said. Dogs, indeed! Being sick and making messes all the time I’ve no doubt! Really, these girls are mental! So there we are, and if I have to go out any afternoon, Timothy is left quite alone in the house and if anything should happen, how could he get help? Though I do leave the telephone close by his chair so that if he felt faint he could dial Dr Barton immediately.’
Maude led the way into the drawing-room where tea was laid ready by the fireplace, and establishing Mr Entwhistle there, disappeared, presumably to the back regions. She returned in a few minutes’ time with a teapot and silver kettle, and proceeded to minister to Mr Entwhistle’s needs. It was a good tea with homemade cake and fresh buns. Mr Entwhistle murmured:
‘What about Timothy?’ and Maude explained briskly that she had taken Timothy his tray before she set out for the station.
‘And now,’ said Maude, ‘he will have had his little nap and it will be the best time for him to see you. Do try and not let him excite himself too much.’
Mr Entwhistle assured her that he would exercise every precaution.
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