Section 2
Neither Dr. Martineau nor the father of the family found the imaginative
reconstruction of the Stonehenge rituals quite so exciting as the two
principals. The father of the family endured some further particulars
with manifest impatience, no longer able, now that Sir Richmond was
encouraging the girl, to keep her in check with the slightly derisive
smile proper to her sex. Then he proclaimed in a fine loud tenor, "All
this is very imaginative, I'm afraid." And to his family, "Time we were
pressing on. Turps, we must go-o. Come, Phoebe!"
As he led his little flock towards the exit his voice came floating
back. "Talking wanton nonsense.... Any professional archaeologist would
laugh, simply laugh...."
He passed out of the world.
With a faint intimation of dismay Dr. Martineau realized that the two
talkative ladies were not to be removed in the family automobile with
the rest of the party. Sir Richmond and the younger lady went on very
cheerfully to the population, agriculture, housing and general scenery
of the surrounding Downland during the later Stone Age. The shorter,
less attractive lady, whose accent was distinctly American, came now and
stood at the doctor's elbow. She seemed moved to play the part of chorus
to the two upon the stone.
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