She met his grey eyes, very tender and thoughtful. What she saw,
however, were blue eyes, hard, and not at all thoughtful.




Chapter 14


Prize-giving time came, and the younger Miss Clomber, who was to
present them, tried to persuade Reddin to go up on the platform, a
lorry with chairs on it. There already were Mr. James and the
secretary, counting the prize-money. Below stood the winners, Vessons
conspicuous in his red waistcoat. Miss Clomber felt that she looked
well. She was dressed in tweeds to show that this was not an occasion
to her as to the country damsels.

'No. I shall stay here,' said Reddin, answering her stare, intended to
be inviting, with a harder stare of indifference.

'As the last representative of such an old family--'

'Oh, damn family' he said peevishly, having lost sight of Hazel.

As Miss Clomber still persisted, he quenched the argument.

'Young families are more in my line than old 'uns.'

She blushed unbecomingly, and hastily got on to the lorry.