The dinner passed like any other, only Rolfe observed that Dr. Suaby took every fair opportunity of drawing the pluckless Mr. Hyam into conversation, and that he coldly ignored the Exquisite.
“I have seen that young man about town, I think,” said Mr. Rolfe. “Where was it, I wonder?”
“The Argyll Rooms, or the Casino, probably.”
“Thank you, doctor. Oh, I forgot; you owed me one. He is no favorite of yours.”
“Certainly not. And I only invited him medicinally.”
“Medicinally? That's too deep for a layman.”
“To flirt with Miss Wieland. Flirting does her good.”
“Medicine embraces a wider range than I thought.”
“No doubt. You are always talking about medicine; but you know very little, begging your pardon.”
“That is the theory of compensation. When you know very little about a thing you must talk a great deal about it. Well, I'm here for instruction; thirsting for it.”