"Still, even old Joe Cholderton's recreations——"
"He was certainly mainly an observer, but he saw some interesting things and people." There was a renewed touch of nervousness in Mr Neeld's manner.
"Interesting people? H'm. Then I hope he's discreet?"
"Or that Mr Neeld will be discreet for him," Iver put in. "Though I don't know why interesting people are supposed to create a need for discretion."
"Oh yes, you do, Iver. You know the world.
Don't you be too discreet, Neeld. Give us a taste of Joe's lighter style."
Neeld did not quite approve of his deceased and respected friend being referred to as "Joe," nor did he desire to discuss in that company what he had and what he had not suppressed in the Journal.
"I have used the best of my judgment," he said primly, and was surprised to find Iver smiling at him with an amused approval.
"The least likely men break out," Lord Southend continued hopefully. "The Baptist minister down at my place once waylaid the wife of the Chairman of Quarter Sessions and asked her to run away with him."
"That's one of your Nonconformist stories, Southend. I never believe them," said Iver.