Don't be a cat, Joan.

You never used to be grudging of your hospitality.' Mrs Gildea quickly recovered her usual genial demeanour.

She poured herself out a cup of tea, and remarked that it was refreshing after the pine-apple syrups and other concoctions she had, as in duty bound, sampled at the Show.

Lady Bridget rattled along with questions about the Function and the behaviour of the Government House party.

Had Sir Luke been too over-poweringly pompous?
Was Lady Tallant really cross?
and had Vereker Wells made any more blunders?
and so forth.