5 The Seven WhistlersThe drawing-room at the Dower House, small, cosy, and lined with white panelling, was lit that evening with candles only, and their flickering light was kind to the faded rose tapestry and the India carpet which had once been the pride of a great-great-grandmother of Biddy’s. There was a fire in the old-fashioned grate, and the whole room looked particularly inviting when they came in from dinner.
Swithin Cush and Judge Lobbett were talking enthusiastically as they followed the young people. They had delighted each other with a mutual display of archaeological fireworks all through dinner and were still engrossed in their subject.
The rector had appeared in his Sunday clothes in response to an urgent message from Biddy, and his venerable green-black clerical coat of
