'Who with?'

'No one.'

'Didn't I see you on the canal-side with young Ryley?'

'Yes, father. He was going back to the works after dinner, and he just
happened to overtake me.'

Milly and Ethel exchanged a swift glance.

'Happened to overtake you! I saw you as I was driving past, over the
canal bridge. You little thought that I saw you.'

'Well, father, I couldn't help him overtaking me. Besides----'

'Besides!' he took her up. 'You had your hand on his shoulder. How do
you explain that?'

Millicent was silent.

'I'm ashamed of you, regularly ashamed ... You with your hand on his
shoulder in full sight of the works! And on your mother's birthday too!'

Leonora involuntarily stirred. For more than twenty years it had been
his custom to give her a kiss and a ten-pound note before breakfast on
her birthday, but this year he had so far made no mention whatever of
the anniversary.

'I'm going to put my foot down,' he continued with grieved majesty. 'I