“She doesn’t care much about them.”
“I don’t believe it,” said Bertha, shaking her head. “It’s you who are mistaken.”
“Am I?”
“Nigel, remember, I know you pretty well.”
“And you think I’m trying to make you sorry for me?”
“I won’t say that. But you ought to be happy, and so ought your wife.”
He spoke in a different tone, with his usual cheery smile.
“Well, if you will grace our entertainment, I promise we will be happy. Do come, Bertha!” He was taking all this trouble simply so as not to have a boring evening at his own home!
“Very well, Nigel,” she answered, with a kind, frank smile. “I’ll come. Lately Percy’s had so much work that in the evenings he hasn’t been very keen on going out to parties.”