The rest of the entertainment resembled that of most country
dinner-parties. Conducted to the piano by the Colonel, who understood
music very well, the talented ladies of the party, including Miss Rose,
sang songs with more or less success, while Miss Layard criticised, Mary
was appreciative, and the men talked. At length the local baronet's
wife looked at the local baronet, who thereupon asked leave to order
the carriage. This example the rest of the company followed in quick
succession until all were gone except Mr. Porson and his daughter.

"Well, my dear," said Mr. Porson, "I suppose that we had better be off
too, or you won't get your customary nine hours."

Mary yawned slightly and assented, asserting that she had utterly
exhausted herself in defending Miss Rose from the attacks of her rival,
Miss Layard.

"No, no," broke in the Colonel, "come and have a smoke first, John. I've
got that old map of the property unrolled on purpose to show you, and
I don't want to keep it about, for it fills up the whole place. Morris
will look after Mary for half an hour, I daresay."

"Certainly," said Morris, but the heart within him sank to the level of
his dress-shoes. Here was the opportunity for which he had wished, but
as he could not be called a forward, or even a pushing lover, he was
alarmed at its very prompt arrival. This answer to his prayers was
somewhat too swift and thorough. There is a story of an enormously fat
old Boer who was seated on the veld with his horse at his side, when
suddenly a band of armed natives rushed to attack him. "Oh, God, help!"
he cried in his native _taal_, as he prepared to heave his huge form