The countess-dowager sent for him, to ask what her diet had better be, and how she could guard against infection more effectually than she was doing.

She did not allow him to come in, but spoke to him from one of the upper windows, with a cloak and respirator on." Lord Hartledon looked at his butler; the man was suppressing a grim smile.
"Nonsense, Hedges!" "It's quite true, my lord.

Mrs.Mirrable says she has five bowls of disinfectant in their rooms." Lord Hartledon broke into a laugh, not suppressed.
"And in the courtyard, looking towards the Rectory, as may be said, there's several pitch-pots alight night and day," added Hedges.

"We have had a host of people up, wanting to know if the place is on fire." "What a joke!" cried Val--who was not yet beyond the age to enjoy such jokes.

"Hedges," he resumed, in a more confidential tone, "no strangers have been here inquiring for me, I suppose ?" He alluded to creditors, or people acting for them.