He pretended not merely indifference, but reluctance.
"Isn't that obvious?"
"Not to me—and I don't think to any one else."
"What do you call it when one—you compel me to speak frankly—what do you call it when one exposes one's ignorance of—of fundamental things before a roomful of people who've never set eyes on one before?"
Since no one, not even Hugh, was brave enough to stand up for me, I had to do it for myself.
"But I didn't know I had."
"Probably not. It's what I warned you of, if you'll take the trouble to remember. I said—or it amounted to that—that until you'd learned the ways of the people who are generally recognized as comme il faut, you'd be wise in keeping yourself—unobtrusive."
"And may I ask whether one becomes obtrusive merely in talking of public affairs?"
"You'll pardon me for giving you a lesson before others; but, since you invite it—"
"Quite so, Mr. Brokenshire, I do invite it."