He had had his fill long ago of the noisy friendly parties at Highbank, with coasting, ice-boating, sleighing,
long tramps in the snow, and a general flavour of mild flirting and milder practical jokes. He had just
received a box of new books from his London book- seller, and had preferred the prospect of a quiet
Sunday at home with his spoils. But he now went into the club writing-room, wrote a hurried telegram,
and told the servant to send it immediately. He knew that Mrs. Reggie didnt object to her visitors suddenly
changing their minds, and that there was always a room to spare in her elastic house.