“Quite sure?” said Lady Elizabeth.
“Positive. That’s flat. You can’t be called without my consent, and, short of pressin’ me to death, you won’t get that.”
“But, Dick——”
“My dear, it’s no earthly. I’m absolutely resolved. I not only won’t call you, but I won’t have you near the Court.”
He flung himself into a chair and crossed his legs.
“Now, Dick, just listen. Put yourself in my place. Supposing I was charged with something I hadn’t done. And everything——”
“Dot,” said Pembury, “it’s not the slightest good. You know as well as I do that it’s a question of sex. What’s sauce for the goose may be sauce for the gander—but it can’t always be served. For people to know that we were dining ’ld be bad enough, but what about the beer?”
“Well, what about it?” said Dot. “What’s the matter with the truth? Remembering my affection for the beverage, you were considerate enough——”
“My dear girl,” said Pembury, “it’s out of the question. You can’t parade intimate nursery incidents in a Court of Law. Possibly, if we were brother and sister——”
“We are, practically. As I was telling Mr. Forsyth——”