He waved his hand in the direction of the village and said, Napoleonically:

"I'll look after Nunsmere. I have the motor here. We can go all over the
country. Will you come?"

"On one condition."

"And that?"

"That you won't spread the Cure among our Surrey villages, and that you'll
talk of something else all the time."

He rose and put out his hand. "I accept," he cried frankly. "I'm not a
fool. I know you're right. When are you coming to see Penton Court? I will
give a housewarming You say that Dix has settled down here. I'll look him
up. I'll be glad to see the muddle-headed seraph again. I'll ask him to
come, too, so there will be you and he--and perhaps your sister will honor
me, and your mother, Mrs. Oldrieve?"

"Mother doesn't go out much nowadays," said Zora. "But Emmy will no doubt
be delighted to come."

"I have a surprise for you," said Sypher. "It's a brilliant idea--have had
it in my head for months--you must tell me what you think of it."

The entrance of Mrs. Oldrieve and Emmy put an end to further talk of an
intimate nature, and as Mrs. Oldrieve preferred the simple graces of
stereotyped conversation, the remainder of Sypher's visit was uneventful.
When he had taken his leave she remarked that he seemed to be a most
superior person.