"I like him all right, but he'd be rather in the way, wouldn't he?"
Of a surety he was in the way—right plump in the middle of it! There was sore doubt whether the family coach could get by without a spill.
"Well, when he comes back, you mustn't expect to monopolise Bernadette."
"I don't think I ever try to do that, do I?" he asked quickly, flushing a little. "I mean, I don't set up to—well, I don't make a bore of myself, do I?"
"Goodness, no! I suppose I meant that you mustn't mind if Sir Oliver monopolises her rather."
"Oh, but I shall mind that!" cried Arthur in dismay. Then he laughed. "But I'm hanged if he shall do it! I'll put up a fight. What happened when he was here before?"
"Well, he's her friend, you see, not mine or Godfrey's. So, naturally, I suppose——"
"What did they do together?"
"Motored mostly."
"That'd mean she'd be out half the day!"