"Yes, of course I have," she said; "so have you, I imagine. Or perhaps you were not born. How detestably young, young men are!"
"They get over it," said Geoffrey.
"Yes, and become middle-aged, which is worse. Now tell me all you know, categorically, about Dr. Armytage."
"I don't know that there is one for certain," said Geoffrey. "True, his plate is on the door. I don't know if I have a right to tell you. In any case, really, I know nothing."
Lady Oxted made an impatient gesture.
"It concerns Francis Vail, of course," she said.
Geoffrey stared.
"How did you know that?" he asked.
"I will tell you when you have finished your story," she said, "which, I may remind you, you have not yet begun."
Harry had told his friend about his chance encounter at the lodge gates with the doctor, and Geoffrey could pass on the story complete; Mr. Francis's silence about his visit there; his excellent reason for silence; the false name given to Harry, and, so he thought, the false address; the false name in his reference book with the Wimpole Street address; and finally their visit to the door. Lady Oxted heard him with gathering interest, it would appear, and long before the end she was off her sofa and walking up and down the room.