al of the eleven Podbys (as they had been
taught to call themselves) John, seventeenth Earl of Blight, spoke
quite frankly to Algernon, the eldest.

"After all, my dear Algernon," he said, "we are cousins. There is no need
for harsh words between us. All I ask is that you should forbear to make
your claim until I have delivered my speech in the House of Lords on the
Coast Erosion Bill, upon which I feel deeply. Once the Bill is through, I
shall be prepared to retire in your favour. Meanwhile let us all enjoy
together the simple pleasures of Blight Hall."

Algernon, a fair young man with a meaningless expression, replied
suitably.

So for some days the eleven Podbys gave themselves up to pleasure. Percy,
the youngest, though hardly of an age to appreciate the mechanism of it,
was allowed to push the lawn-mower. Lancelot and Herbert, who had
inherited the Podby intellect, were encouraged to browse around the
revolving bookcase, from which they frequently extracted one of the works
of Thackeray, replacing it again after a glance at the title page; while
on one notable occasion the Earl of Blight took Algernon into the
dining-room at about 11.31 in the morning and helped him to a glass of
sherry and a slice of sultana cake. In this way the days passed happily,
and confidence between the eleven Podbys and their cousin was
established.

It was on a fair spring morning, just a week after their arrival, that
the Countess of Blight came into the music-room (where Algernon was
humming a tune) and said, "Ah, Algernon, my husband was looking for you.
I think he has some little excursion to propose. What a charming day, is
it not? You will find him in the library."

As Algernon entered the library, Lord Blight looked up from the map he
was studying and nodded.

"I thought," he said, coming to the point at once, "that it might amuse
you to drive over with me to Flamborough Head. The view from the top of
the cliff is considered well worth a visit. I don't know if your tastes
lie in that direction at all?"

Algernon was delighted at the idea, and replied that nothing would give
him greater pleasure than to accompany Lord Blight.

"Excellent. Perhaps we had better take some sandwiches and make a day of
it."

Greatly elated at the thought of a day by the sea, Lord Blight went out
and gave instructions to the Countess for sandwiches to be cut.

"In two packets, my love," he added, "in case Algernon and I get
separated."

Ha