'Don't, then. Leave a message to say that after all you didn't feel strong enough.'
'But, if we do that, won't he think it rather a shame, poor chap? As I said he could come, doesn't it seem rather hard lines for him to come all this way—it is a long distance, mind you—and then see nobody?'
'Well, I can see him.'
Bruce looked up suspiciously.
'Oh, you want to see him, do you? Alone?'
'Don't be silly, Bruce. I would much rather not see him.'
'Indeed, and why not? I really believe you look down on him because he's my friend.'
'Not a bit. Well, he won't be angry; you can say that you had a relapse, or something, and were not well enough to see him.'
'Nothing of the sort. It would be very good for me; a splendid change to have a little intellectual talk with a man of the world. I've had too much women's society lately. I'm sick of it. Ring the bell, Edith.'
'Of course I will, Bruce, but what for? Is it anything I can do?'