'Beatrice says he loves playing charades,' I said.
'She told me they always have charades at Christmas.'
T know,' said Maxim, 'that's why I've never spent Christmas with her.'
'Have some more asparagus, Mrs de Winter, and another potato?'
'No, really, Frank, I'm not hungry, thank you.'
'Nerves,' said Maxim, shaking his head.
'Never mind, this time tomorrow it will all be over.'
'I sincerely hope so,' said Frank seriously.
'I was going to give orders that all cars should stand by for 5 a.m.'
I began to laugh weakly, the tears coming into my eyes.
'Oh dear,' I said, 'let's send wires to everybody not to come.'
'Come on, be brave and face it,' said Maxim.
'We need not give another one for years.
Frank, I have an uneasy feeling we ought to be going up to the house.
What do you think?'
Frank agreed, and I followed them unwillingly, reluctant to leave the cramped, rather uncomfortable little dining-room that was so typical of Frank's bachelor establishment, and which seemed to me today the embodiment of peace and quietude.
When we came to the house we found that the band had arrived, and were standing about in the hall rather pink in the face and self-conscious, while Frith, more important than ever, offered refreshments.
The band were to be our guests for the night, and after we had welcomed them and exchanged a few slightly obvious jokes proper to the occasion, the band were borne off to their quarters to be followed by a tour of the grounds.
The afternoon dragged, like the last hour before a journey when one is packed up and keyed to departure, and I wandered from room to room almost as lost as Jasper, who trailed reproachfully at my heels.
There was nothing I could do to help, and it would have been wiser on my part to have kept clear of the house altogether and taken the dog and myself for a long walk.
By the time I decided upon this it was too late, Maxim and Frank were demanding tea, and when tea was over Beatrice and Giles arrived.
The evening had come upon us all too soon.
'This is like old times,' said Beatrice, kissing Maxim, and looking about her.
'Congratulations to you for remembering every detail.
The flowers are exquisite,' she added, turning to me.
'Did you do them?'
'No,' I said, rather ashamed,
'Mrs Danvers is responsible for everything.'
'Oh. Well, after ail…' Beatrice did not finish her sentence, she accepted a light for her cigarette from Frank, and once it was lit she appeared to have forgotten what she was going to say.
'Have you got Mitchell's to do the catering as usual?' asked Giles.
'Yes,' said Maxim.
'I don't think anything has been altered, has it, Frank?
We had all the records down at the office.
Nothing has been forgotten, and I don't think we have left anyone out.'
'What a relief to find only ourselves,' said Beatrice.
'I remember once arriving about this time, and there were about twenty-five people in the place already. All going to stop the night.'
'What's everyone going to wear?
I suppose Maxim, as always, refuses to play?'
'As always,' said Maxim.
'Such a mistake I think.
The whole thing would go with much more swing if you did.'
'Have you ever known a ball at Manderley not to go with a swing?'
'No, my dear boy, the organisation is too good.
But I do think the host ought to give the lead himself.'
'I think it's quite enough if the hostess makes the effort,' said Maxim.
'Why should I make myself hot and uncomfortable and a damn fool into the bargain?'
'Oh, but that's absurd.
There's no need to look a fool.
With your appearance, my dear Maxim, you could get away with any costume.
You don't have to worry about your figure like poor Giles.'