"Soft? why, he's a tremendous genius, papa says."
"I didn't mean that; I mean flabby and out of training, you know."
"Oh, he isn't always shooting or hunting, of course," said Tora contemptuously.
"I don't suppose," remarked Janet, "that in his position of life,—well, you know, Tora, he's of quite humble birth,—he ever had the chance."
"He's none the worse for that," said Sir Harry stoutly.
"The worse? I think he's the better. Papa is going to ask him here."
"You're quite enthusiastic, Tora."
"I love to meet new people. One sees the same faces year after year in Denshire."
Sir Harry felt that this remark was a little unkind.
"I like old friends," he said, "better than new ones."