"If I may come straight to the point, sir. You will notice the geese not far

from us."

 

"Geese?" He looked around a little bewildered.

 

"Oh yes. That's what they are."

 

"And likewise the flowers and shrubs. This is not, in fact, the best time of

year to see them in their full glory, but you will appreciate, sir, that with

the arrival of spring, we will see a change - a very special sort of change - in

these surroundings."

 

"Yes, I'm sure the grounds are not at their best just now. But to be perfectly

frank, Stevens, I wasn't paying much attention to the glories of nature. It's

all rather worrying. That M. Dupont's arrived in the foulest mood imaginable.

Last thing we wanted really."

 

"M. Dupont has arrived here at this house, sir?"

 

"About half an hour ago. He's in the most foul temper."

 

"Excuse me, sir. I must attend to him straight away."

 

"Of course, Stevens. Well, kind of you to have come out to talk to me."