"Edwin did."
"I see," said Ingpen, still dreamily.
"I believe you knew all about it," she remarked, having flushed.
"Pardon me! Almost nothing."
"Of course you take Edwin's side."
"Are we talking man to man?" he asked suddenly, in a new tone.
"Most decidedly!" She rose to the challenge.
"Then I'll tell you my leading theory," he said in a soft, polite voice. "The proper place for women is the harem."
"Mr. Ingpen!"
"No, no!" he soothed her, but firmly. "We're talking man to man. I can whisper sweet nothings to you, if you prefer it, but I thought we were trying to be honest. I hold a belief. I state it. I may be wrong, but I hold that belief. You can persecute me for my belief if you like. That's your affair. But surely you aren't afraid of an idea! If you don't like the mere word, let's call it zenana. Call it the drawing-room and kitchen."