'She says I'm no gentleman. She said I had no business to lead the poor girl on, in a manner of speaking, and walk out with her, and pay her marked attention, and then not propose marriage like a gentleman.'
'Then you're rather unhappy just now, Vincy?'
'Well, I spoke to her frankly, and said I would like to go on being her friend, but I didn't mean to marry. And she said she'd never see me again unless I did.'
'And what else?'
'That's about all, thanks very much,' said Vincy.
Here Bruce came in.
'Edith,' he said,' have you asked Aylmer to come and stay with us at
Westgate?'
'Oh no. I think I'd rather not.'
'Why on earth not? How absurd of you. It's a bit selfish, dear, if you'll excuse my saying so. It's all very well for you: you've got the children and Vincy to amuse you (you're coming, aren't you, Vincy?). What price me? I must have someone else who can go for walks and play golf, a real pal, and so forth. I need exercise, and intellectual sympathy. Aylmer didn't say he had anywhere else to go.'
'He's going to take his boy, Freddie, away to some seaside place. He doesn't like staying with people.'