Thresk only nodded his head gloomily.
"I have missed it," he replied.

"It's very unfortunate.

I have clients waiting for me in London." "You missed it on purpose," she declared and Thresk's face relaxed into a smile.

He turned away from the window to her.

He seemed suddenly to wear the look of a boy.
"I have the best of excuses," he replied, "the perfect excuse." But even he could not foresee how completely that excuse was to serve him.
"Sit down," said Jane Repton, "and tell me.