When they had all laughed a great deal, and Georgie had been assured
that Lucia really, word of honour, had no idea what happened next, the
narrative was resumed.

"So there stood the Indian, bowing and salaaming most politely and when
Rush had promised me he would send my _Creme de menthe_ that very
morning, I just looked through a wine list for a moment, and the Indian
with quantities more bows came up to the counter and said, 'If you will
have the great goodness to give me a little brandy bottle.' So Rush
gave it him, and instead of paying for it, what do you think he said?
Guess."

Mrs Lucas rose with the air of Lady Macbeth and pointed her finger at
Georgie.

"He said 'Put it down to Mrs Quantock's account,'" she hissed.

Of course the explanation came now, and Lucia told the two men the
contents of Mrs Quantock's letter. With that her cards were on the
table, and though the fact of the Brahmin from Benares was news to
Georgie, he had got many interesting things to tell her, for his house
adjoined Mrs Quantock's and there were plenty of things which Mrs
Quantock had not mentioned in her letter, so that Georgie was soon in
the position of informant again. His windows overlooked Mrs Quantock's
garden, and since he could not keep his eyes shut all day, it followed
that the happenings there were quite common property. Indeed that was a
general rule in Riseholme: anyone in an adjoining property could say,
"What an exciting game of lawn-tennis you had this afternoon!" having
followed it from his bedroom. That was part of the charm of Riseholme;