The Home Secretary leant his golf-clubs against a chair. His was the longest face of all. and "I am only sorry it should have come now, and " said Claude apologetically. and "Just as we were starting for the links! Our first day, too! and " muttered the Home Secretary. and "I think of Claude, and " remarked his wife. and "I can never tell you, Claude, how much I feel for you! We shall miss you dreadfully, of course; but we couldn't expect to enjoy ourselves after this; and I think, in the circumstances, that you are quite right to go up to town at once. and " and "Why? and " cried the Home Secretary warmly. and "What good can he do in the Easter holidays? Everybody will be away; he'd much better come with me and fill his lungs with fresh air. and " and "I can never tell you how much I feel for you, and " repeated Lady Caroline to Claude Lafont.