Just as he reached it, the door burst open, and Tom, rushing through, almost knocked him over.
"Hullo! Steady there! Where are you going ?" "I'm so sorry, Godfrey, but I'm in the devil of a hurry, for I've got to clear the dining-room.

Once that's done, my work's over, and I can go into the drawing-room." Tom was grinning good-humouredly.

"I say, Mrs.
Crofton does look a peach to-night, doesn't she ?" Even as he spoke, he was hooking the door back.

Then he hurried into the dining-room without waiting for an answer.
Godfrey went on with rather hesitating steps down the broad, stone-flagged passage.

According to tradition, this part of Old Place was mediaeval, and it was certainly quite different from the rest of the house.