CHAPTER II--JUNE'S TREAT 

Dinner began in silence; the women facing one another, and the men. 

In silence the soup was finished--excellent, if a little thick; and fish was brought. In silence it was handed. 

Bosinney ventured: "It's the first spring day." 

Irene echoed softly: "Yes--the first spring day." 

"Spring!" said June: "there isn't a breath of air!" No one replied. 

The fish was taken away, a fine fresh sole from Dover. And Bilson brought champagne, a bottle swathed around the neck with white.... 

Soames said: "You'll find it dry." 

Cutlets were handed, each pink-frilled about the legs. They were refused by June, and silence fell. 

Soames said: "You'd better take a cutlet, June; there's nothing coming." 

But June again refused, so they were borne away. And then Irene asked: "Phil, have you heard my blackbird?" 

Bosinney answered: "Rather--he's got a hunting-song. As I came round I heard him in the Square." 

"He's such a darling!" 

"Salad, sir?" Spring chicken was removed. 

But Soames was speaking: "The asparagus is very poor. Bosinney, glass of sherry with your sweet? June, you're drinking nothing!" 

June said: "You know I never do. Wine's such horrid stuff!" 

An apple charlotte came upon a silver dish, and smilingly Irene said: "The azaleas are so wonderful this year!" 

To this Bosinney murmured: "Wonderful! The scent's extraordinary!" 

June said: "How can you like the scent? Sugar, please, Bilson." 

Sugar was handed her, and Soames remarked: "This charlottes good!" 

The charlotte was removed. Long silence followed. Irene, beckoning, said: "Take out the azalea, Bilson. Miss June can't bear the scent." 
When did it start?
the first spring day