Explore "The Red Bicycle" by Fergus Hume on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
At the Rectory, dinner was always placed on the table at seven o'clock, it being a law of the Medes and Persians that everyone should be in time. Yet, much to Claudia's distress, Edwin did not put in an appearance until the meal was half over. His parents were speculating as to what could be delaying him when he entered, cool and calm, but somewhat pale. With an apology for his late arrival, and for not having changed his dress, he sat down to cool soup and lukewarm fish.
Mrs. Craver felt annoyed, and said that she was. "Why did Lady Wyke keep you such a long time? " she asked, indignantly. "It was most inconsiderate of her. But, there, you can't expect manners from a person of that class."