THE SILVER FOX 87 



bidden longing to lift up his voice and howl 

 an accompaniment to the tune. Major 

 Bunbury was reading a newspaper with that 

 air of serving his country that belongs to 

 men when they read papers. No woman 

 can hope to read the Times as though it 

 were a profession ; it is a masculine gift, 

 akin to that of dining. 



" Oh, it's only Slaney ! " exclaimed Lady 

 Susan. " We bolted in here when we saw 

 the white horse. We thought it was the 

 parson. Well, you're very good to come, 

 dear, and it's very nice to have you." She 

 kissed Slaney briskly on both cheeks, con- 

 veying a mingled flavour of smart clothes, 

 tobacco, and careless friendliness. " Hughie 

 could never have gone away and left Bunny 

 and me here together for a week, you 

 know ! It would have been hideously im- 

 proper, wouldn't it ? Uncle Charles would 

 have had three fits on the spot, wouldn't 

 he ? " She stationed herself on the arm of 

 Major Bunbury 's chair, and put her elbow 

 on his shoulder. 



