and then floated in still air.

"And we're making such a lovely plan, dear Daisy," she said. "The Guru
is going to teach us all. Classes! Aren't you?"

He held his hands up to his head, palms outwards, and closed his eyes.

"I seem to feel call," he said. "I am sent. Surely the Guides tell me
there is a sending of me. What you call classes? Yes? I teach: you
learn. We all learn.... I leave all to you. I will walk a little way
off to arbour, and meditate, and then when you have arranged, you will
tell Guru, who is your servant. Salaam! Om!"

With the Guru in her own house, and with every intention to annex him,
it was no wonder that Lucia took the part of chairman in this meeting
that was to settle the details of the esoteric brotherhood that was to
be formed in Riseholme. Had not Mrs Quantock been actually present, Lucia
in revenge for her outrageous conduct about the garden-party invitation
would probably have left her out of the classes altogether, but with her
sitting firm and square in a basket chair, that creaked querulously as
she moved, she could not be completely ignored. But Lucia took the lead
throughout, and suggested straightaway that the smoking-parlour would be
the most convenient place to hold the classes in.

"I should not think of invading your house, dear Daisy," she said, "and
here is the smoking-parlour which no one ever sits in, so quiet and
peaceful. Yes. Shall we consider that settled, then?"

She turned briskly to Mrs Quantock.