'Why, we used to sit in the garden,' said Edith timidly.
'Oh, yes, of course; after your father had given his consent.'
'And once or twice before.'
Bruce smiled rather fatuously. 'Don't compare the two cases. I was a man of the world…. I was very firm, wasn't I Edith? Somehow at first your father didn't seem to like me, but I reasoned with him. I always reason calmly with people. And then he came round. Do you remember how pleased you were that day?' He patted Edith's hair.
'Then why be so severe?'
'Perhaps I am a little bit too severe,' he acknowledged. 'But you don't quite understand how it jars on me to think of any friend of yours behaving in a manner that's—are you sure they're engaged?'
'No; I don't know anything about it.'
'Well, of course, if they don't marry after what Archie has seen, it will be a public scandal, that's all I can say. On the other hand, of course, it would be far better not.'
'What do you propose?' said Edith.
'I don't quite know; I'll think it over. Look here, Edith, if you don't mind, I think I'll go for a little stroll. The flat seems so hot and airless tonight'