The excursion was an opportunity for friendly business talk, and when lunch was over Ruth and Lister went out on the lawn in front of the hotel.
There was no wind.

A few dark clouds floated motionless overhead, but outside their shadow the lake shone like glass, running back until it melted into faint reflections on the horizon.

A varnished launch flashed in the sun and trailed a long white wake across the water.
"Do you want to stay and talk to Mrs.Knapp ?" Ruth asked.
"I do not," said Lister.

"Anyhow, I imagine Mrs.Knapp doesn't want to talk to me.

I'm not a big-business man." Ruth laughed.