In the meantime I'm very much enjoyin' having something else to do. And I must say, they're remarkably hospitable in these places. Manager meets you in the foyer, shows you to your seat. Pretty little gal brings free coffee in the interval. Amazin' how they can keep up such a service.'

'They only do it for you, Daddy.'

Lord Burford looked surprised. 'Really? You sure?'

'Quite. You wouldn't know. As a rule, most of the other customers are in by the time you get there. But you happen to be a peer of the realm. And they don't get many. It must do wonders for the box office in a little place like Westchester - especially when you turn up in a chauffeur-driven Rolls in full evening dress.'

'Bless my soul.' Lord Burford squared his shoulders. 'You think people still care about that sort of thing in the 1930s?'

'Certainly they do.'

'Well, that reporter chappie certainly seemed interested.'

'Reporter?'

'Yes. Young feller from the Westshire Advertiser, waiting for me when I came out. Said they wanted to do a piece about the county's newest film fan. Asked how it was I'd only recently started going to the movies. I explained no one had ever told me how good they'd got. I saw those jumpy old silent things when I was a boy and didn't think much of them. So I never bothered again—'

'Until a few months ago you found yourself with a couple of hours to kill in London, noticed a cinema showing the latest Garbo, felt curious, went in — and were hooked. You told him all that?'

' 'Course. And he wanted to know all about the pictures I most enjoyed and my favourite stars. Most flatterin'.'

'Well, make the most of it. I don't suppose you'll be going so often once Mummy gets home.'

'Don't see why. Harmless enough hobby. Deuced cheaper than popping off to the Italian Riviera, too.'

'She did want you to go with her.'

'Don't like seaside resorts. Borin' places. Rather watch Errol Flynn or Rex Ransom any day.' He crossed to the massive fireplace and warmed his hands at the blazing fire.

'Cold out?' Gerry asked.

'Decidedly chilly.'

'I was talking to old Josh earlier. He says we're in for what he calls a 'real shramming winter'.'

'Well, I've never known him wrong about the weather in forty years. Suppose you'll be clearing off to warmer climes before the real winter hits us, will you?'

'No, I'm not going away for a bit.' Gerry suddenly spoke absently.

Her father looked at her closely. 'Oh, lor', don't say you're going off into another brown study. You still ditherin' between those two young fellows?'

She nodded.

'I wish you'd make up your mind and marry one of 'em.'

'Marry? Who said anything about marrying?'

Lord Burford frowned.