in. By-the-by, has Jimmy been up for me, Philippa? Have you heard
whether there are any mackerel in?"

Philippa raised her eyebrows.

"Mackerel!" she repeated sarcastically.

"Have you any objection to the fish, dear?" Sir Henry enquired
blandly.

Philippa made no reply. Her husband frowned and turned towards
Lessingham.

"You see," he complained a little irritably, "my wife doesn't approve
of my taking an interest even in fishing while the war's on, but,
hang it all, what are you to do when you reach my age? Thinks I
ought to be a special constable, don't you, Philippa?"

"Need we discuss this before Mr. Lessingham?" she asked, without
looking up from her paper.

Lessingham promptly prepared to take his departure.

"See something more of you, I hope," Sir Henry remarked hospitably,
as he conducted his guest to the door. "Where are you staying
here?"

"At the hotel."

"Which?"