Highland Fling Read Online Free PDF Page A

Craig’s, will be there to look after the keepers, etc.” ’
    There was a long silence. Walter sat down rather heavily.
    ‘Well?’ said Sally.
    ‘Well, what?’
    ‘Shall we do it? Listen, my precious. I know it would be awful and I expect you’d simply hate it, poor sweet, and nothing to what I should, but still, facts must be faced. If we do this we shall save money for two solid months, and after that, if you like, we could probably afford to spend a little time in Paris, if we could let the flat. Albert might be able to tell us of some nice cheap hotel there.’
    Walter became sulkier every minute.
    ‘I won’t stay at a cheap hotel in Paris. Paris to me means the Ritz. I’m very sorry – it’s the way I’m made. Besides, it’s wellknown to be cheaper in the end to stay at the Ritz, because otherwise one has to keep taking taxis there to see who’s arrived. And I won’t let the flat. It never pays to let houses, because of all the damage that is done by tenants.’
    ‘Perhaps we could manage to have a week at the Ritz if we went to Scotland, funny creature,’ she said, tickling the back of his neck.
    Walter laughed and began kissing her hand, one finger at a time.
    ‘What d’you think, then?’
    ‘How d’you mean? What do I think?’
    ‘Walter, you’re being extremely tiresome, darling. You know quite well what I mean.’
    ‘My precious angel, I’ve often noticed how clever you are at getting your own way, and if you’ve really made up your mind that we’ve got to have two months of potted hell in Scotland I suppose nothing can save us. But I should just like to say here and now, that I’m quite sure it would be cheaper in the end to go to the Lido. I know you wouldn’t think so, but these economies always lead to trouble; I’ve seen it so often.’
    ‘But, darling, we haven’t even to pay our railway journey if we go in the car, and there can’t be any expenses up there.’
    ‘Well, mark my words. Anyhow, if we go, let’s make Albert come too, then we might get some fun out of it.’
    ‘Yes, of course, and we could ask some other chums. Jane, perhaps. It won’t be too bad really, you know. Sweet darling, not to make a fuss – are you sure you don’t mind terribly? Shall I ring up Aunt Madge now?’ She kissed the top of Walter’s head and went over to the telephone.
    ‘Hullo? Is Lady Craigdalloch there?… Mrs Monteath.… Don’t wander about, Walter, it puts me off. No, don’t – that’s my coffee.… Hullo, Aunt Madge? Sally speaking.… Yes, we’ve just got it.… Well, we think we’d love to.… No, sweet of you. Can we come and see you sometime and talk it over?… Yes, ofcourse, you must be frightfully. When do you go?… Oh, goodness what a rush for you!… Yes, we could be there in about half an hour.… All right, we’ll meet you there.… No, perfect for us. Goodbye!’
    Sally hung up the receiver.
    ‘Where d’you think we’ve got to meet them? You’d never guess, but it’s so typical of them, really. The House of Lords! So come on, my angel, and dress, because I said we’d be there in half an hour.’
    Sally and Walter were perched rather uncomfortably on a red leather fireguard in the Prince’s Chamber of the House of Lords. The magnificent personage, of whom they had inquired whether they could see Lord Craigdalloch, presently returned from his quest for that nobleman. ‘His lordship says he may be a little time, but I will inform her ladyship that you are here. Meanwhile, would you wait a few moments?’ He walked rather pompously to the other end of the room where he stood motionless.
    ‘Well, he doesn’t seem to be informing her,’ said Sally, ‘unless by telepathy. Still, I’m quite happy here, aren’t you? Of course, it just
is
one’s spiritual home, that’s all.
Why
didn’t I marry a peer? I’d really forgotten what a divine place it is, such ages since I’ve been here.’
    ‘Like church, isn’t it? I keep expecting the