Madonna Litta

I'll go up and getthings unpacked," said Mrs. Carpenter. "Perhaps, Elvira, you and Colonel Luscombe would like to have a little gossip."
　　Tact, thought Colonel Luscombe. A bit obvious,perhaps, but anyway it would get rid of her for a bit. Though what he was going to gossipabout to Elvira, her really didn't know. A very nice-manneredgirl, but her wasn't used to girls. His wife had died inchildbirth and the baby, a boy, had been brought up by his wife's family whilst an elder sister had come to keep house for him. His son hadmarried and gone to live in Kenya, and his grandchildren were eleven, five and two and ahalf and had been entertained on their last visit by football and space science talk,electric trains, and a ride on his foot. Easy! But young girls!
　　He asked Elvira if she would like a drink. He wasabout to propose a bitter lemon, ginger ale, or orangeade, but Elvira forestalled him.