The rest of the people
in the circles crystallized out into the central space as two apparent
sisters and an apparent aunt and the nurse, who was packed off at
once to supervise the lamp cleaning. The head of the family found some
difficulty, it would seem, in readjusting his mind to the comparative
innocence of Anthony, and Sir Richmond and the young lady on the rock
sought as if by common impulse to establish a general conversation.
There were faint traces of excitement in her manner, as though there
had been some controversial passage between herself and the family
gentleman.
"We were discussing the age of this old place," she said, smiling in the
frankest and friendliest way. "How old do YOU think it is?"
The father of Anthony intervened, also with a shadow of controversy in
his manner. "I was explaining to the young lady that it dates from
the early bronze age. Before chronology existed.... But she insists on
dates."
"Nothing of bronze has ever been found here," said Sir Richmond.
"Well, when was this early bronze age, anyhow?" said the young lady.
Sir Richmond sought a recognizable datum. "Bronze got to Britain
somewhere between the times of Moses and Solomon."
"Ah!" said the young lady, as who should say, 'This man at least talks
sense.
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