"No! You don't say so?" exclaims Mr. Gower, with a tragic gesture.
"So her husband has been at it again!"
At this they all roar, as people will, at anything, when they have nothing else to do. Even Tita, who, though smiling always, is looking rather depressed, gives way to a merry little laugh. Hearing her, Margaret blesses Randal for his silly old joke.
"Oh, Randal! you are too stupid for anything," says Tita, showing all her pretty teeth.
"You have for once lighted on a solemn truth," puts in Randal's aunt grimly. "Let us hope you are getting sense."
"Or a wise tooth," says Colonel Neilson, with a friendly smile at Tita. "Lady Rylton is very nearly old enough to be thinking of that now."
"As for that wretched Mrs. Tyneway," says Miss Gower, taking no notice of him, "if her husband did so far take the law into his own hands as to make her black and blue, I, for one, should not blame him."
"That's funny!" says Mrs. Chichester, giving her a saucy little smile.
"What is funny, may I ask?"
"To hear you defend a man. I thought you despised them in a body."
"I have my own views about them," says Miss Gower, with a sniff.
"But I admit they have rights of their own."