"Ah, Babba, you here? Gossipping as usual, I see."
"He says Ora's husband won't come."
"Well, he doesn't know anything about it."
"I'll take six to four," said Babba eagerly.
"I don't think I care to bet about it," said Bowdon.
"Ah, I expect not!" For Babba the only possible reason against making any bet in the world was the fear of losing it.
"Do go and talk to Minna Soames," Irene implored him. "She'll be ready enough to disbelieve anything creditable about poor Ora." Babba smiled knowingly and began to edge away. Bowdon sat down by his fiancée. "I do believe it, you know," she said, turning to him. Babba looked back with a derisive smile.
"Why should she say it, if it's not true?" asked Irene, addressing Bowdon and pointedly ignoring Babba.
"Oh, no doubt it's true," said Bowdon. "Why shouldn't it be true?"