“The young scamp! I wonder he was clever enough to take advantage like that.”
“He has shewn no lack of acuteness of late. I suspect he is under shrewd guidance.”
“Have you ever seen the—the guidance?”
“Not in person. I seldom enter a theatre now. But I am of course familiar with her appearance from the photographic portraits of her. They are in all the shop windows.”
“Yes. I think I have noticed them.”
“And now, Mrs. Douglas, I fear I have paid you a very long visit.”
“Why dont you come oftener?”
“I wish I could find time. I have not so much leisure for enjoyment as I used.”
“I am not so sure of that. But we are always glad to have a chat with one another, I know. We are agreed about the dear children, I think?”
“Cordially. Cordially. Good-bye.”