His aunt picked up the comb again and carefully smoothed her front hair.
"It sounds very complicated. Do you suppose she reasoned all that out and was prepared to take so much trouble to keep you away?"
"I do," he said simply, and lit a cigarette.
"It's hard to believe. And yet… Roger, why is it Thérèse dislikes you?"
He got up and strolled about aimlessly.
"Ask me another," he replied lightly, with a shrug of the shoulders.
"You've never quarrelled?"
"Oh, no, certainly not!"
He had no intention of revealing that hidden episode. After a moment, seeing the troubled look on his aunt's face, he put his arm around her ample waist.
"I'm sorry I mentioned the beastly matter, Dido, honestly I am! Don't attach too much importance to what I've said. We all have our little peculiarities, and I just happened to stumble on one of Thérèse's, that's all. She doesn't mean any harm. Stand up and let me look at you. Is that a new gown?"