"She's in a good mood now and I don't want her disturbed."
"But I could just show her -"
"Please don't show her anything, Dora.
These central Europeans don't like being shown.
They hate it."
Dora looked at her doubtfully.
Then she suddenly broke into smiles.
"Edmund Swettenham just rang up.
He wished me many happy returns of the day and said he was bringing me a pot of honey as a present this afternoon.
Isn't it kind?
I can't imagine how he knew it was my birthday."
"Everybody seems to know.
You must have been talking about it, Dora."
"Well, I did just happen to mention that today I should be fifty-nine-"
"You're sixty-four," said Miss Blacklog with a twinkle.
"And Miss Hinchliffe said,
'You don't look it.
What age do you think I am?'
Which was rather awkward because Miss Hinchcliffe always looks so peculiar that she might be any age.
She said she was bringing me some eggs, by the way.
I said our hens hadn't been laying very well, lately."
"We're not doing so badly out of your birthday," said Miss Blacklog.
"Honey, eggs - a magnificent box of chocolates from Julia -"
"I don't know where she gets such things."
"Better not ask.
Her methods are probably strictly illegal."
"And your lovely brooch."
Miss Bunner looked down proudly at her bosom on which was pinned a small diamond leaf.
"Do you like it?
I'm glad.
I never cared for jewellery."
"I love it."
"Good.
Let's go and feed the ducks."
"Ha," cried Patrick dramatically, as the party took their places round the dining-room table.
"What do I see before me?
Delicious Death."
"Hush," said Miss Blacklog.
"Don't let Mitzi hear you.
She objects to your name for her cake very much."
"Nevertheless, Delicious Death it is!
Is it Bunny's birthday cake?"
"Yes, it is," said Miss Bunner. "I really am having the most wonderful birthday."
Her cheeks were flushed with excitement and had been ever since Colonel Easterbrook had handed her a small box of sweets and declaimed with a bow,
"Sweets to the Sweet!"
Julia had turned her head away hurriedly, and had been frowned at by Miss Blacklog.
Full justice was done to the good things on the tea table and they rose from their seats after a round of crackers.
"I feel slightly sick," said Julia.
"It's that cake.
I remember I felt just the same last time."