Page:Wildwildheart00reesiala.pdf/48

for a few moments talking and laughing with Waring until the billy boiled, and he carried it back to Mrs. Holmes, who was dispensing tea.

But in spite of the fact that Rodney Marsh was not included in the party “above the salt”—or, perhaps, because of that fact—Ann was determined not to leave the polo ground without having had a word or two with him. He shouldn’t have cause to think that her frankly given comradeship of the day before meant nothing; and an opportunity to speak to him was provided for her by Mrs. Holmes, who at the close of the match sent the governess to collect the little girls from the other end of the ground.

Biddy and Jo were as usual amongst the ponies and the attendant grooms (though these were unofficial grooms, being Maori boys, shepherds, lads from the small milking farms, and others) and Jo was dancing round Rodney, exclaiming:

“Biddy’s not going to ride Playboy home—I am. You promised me—you know you did!”

“You’re neither of you going to ride,” said Ann. “You’re to run along to the car at once.”

There was a slight argument, but eventually they set off towards their mother, and Ann was for a moment alone with Marsh.

“I hope I didn’t give Nigger a sore back yesterday,” she said.

“I don’t think he noticed you were there,” he answered.

“I wasn’t—part of the time,” she replied, and they both laughed.

“Rod, we’re waiting for you!” Mrs. Bentley’s voice came sharply from the driver’s seat of the Buick.

In the back of the car sat her brother, Jack Smith—