Before long came a second visitor, Mr Quarmby, who joined
Yule and Hinks. The three had all sat together for some time,
when Marian, who happened to be coming down stairs, saw her
father at the study door.
'Ask your mother to let us have some supper at a quarter to ten,'
he said urbanely. 'And come in, won't you? We are only
gossiping.'
It had not often happened that Marian was invited to join parties
of this kind.
'Do you wish me to come?' she asked.
'Yes, I should like you to, if you have nothing particular to
do.'
Marian informed Mrs Yule that the visitors would have supper, and
then went to the study. Mr Quarmby was smoking a pipe; Mr Hinks,
who on grounds of economy had long since given up tobacco, sat
with his hands in his trouser pockets, and his long, thin legs
tucked beneath the chair; both rose and greeted Marian with more
than ordinary warmth.
'Will you allow me five or six more puffs?' asked Mr Quarmby,
laying one hand on his ample stomach and elevating his pipe as if
it were a glass of beaded liquor. 'I shall then have done.'
'As many more as you like,' Marian replied.
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