Chapter 5

I turned to Bill Tracey. “Have you turned this place into a private lunatic asylum?” I demanded. And all Bill did was to shout with laughter. “Cheer up, Joe,” he said. “You’ll learn our little ways soon.” “Doubtless,” I remarked stiffly. “In the meantime I think I’ll go and have some tea.” I crossed the lawn to find several people I knew assembled in the summer-house. And, having paid my respects to my hostess, and been introduced to two or three strangers, I sat down with a feeling of relief beside Tomkinson, a de…