"If the old man gets chattering at the office, the Orgreaves will know, and the next minute the news'll be in the Five Towns. I can't possibly let my people hear from anybody else of my engagement before they hear from me. However, if it comes to the point, we'll tell everybody. Why not?"
"Oh, but dearest! It was so nice it being a secret. It was the loveliest thing in the world."
"
"Perhaps father will feel differently in the morning, and then you can——"
"He won't," said George flatly. "You don't know what a state he's in. I didn't tell you—he called me a spy in the house, a dirty spy. Likewise a jackanapes. Doubtless a delicate illusion to my tender years."
"He didn't !"
"He did, honestly."
"So that was what upset you so!" Marguerite murmured. It was her first admission that she had noticed his agitation.
"Did I look so upset, then?"