'Experience, dear Peggy——' she began, with a gently authoritative air.
Miles laid a firm hand on her wrist and poured her out some more champagne; this action might be construed as an apology for his interruption. At any rate he offered no other: after all, Mrs. John was accustomed to that.
'Experience, dear Peggy—to adopt the form of expression used by my honourable friend, which commends itself to all sections of the House—(you mustn't laugh when you're complimented, Peggy!) experience, dear Peggy, enjoys two significations—first, the things that happen; secondly, what you or I may be pleased to think they mean. I have no remedy ready on the spot for the first; the cure for the second is very simple, as many great men have pointed out.'
'What is it?' asked Mrs. John rebelliously.
'Don't think so, Mrs. John.'
'What, reconstruct all your theories——?'
'Now did I say anything of the kind?' he demanded despairingly.
Peggy leant forward with eager eyes.
'Stop!' interposed Arty Kane imperiously. 'I will not be told any more that the world is full of happiness. It's nothing to me one way or the other if it is, and there's an end of it.'
Peggy leant back again, smiling at Tommy Trent.