Lady Rossiter laughed discreetly, but after a little pause she interjected quietly:
"Mr. Garrett is a good sort, really, in spite of his mannerisms."
She had no particular grounds for this charitable assertion, but she made it a matter of principle to utter some kind little phrase on behalf of anybody whom her interlocutor of the moment had verbally slighted or condemned. This peace-making habit was not unapt to have the singular effect of promoting a lively desire on the part of the first speaker to abuse the absent one a good deal more vigorously than before.
Sir Julian, however, was either too old a hand, or else too little interested in Mr. Garrett, to find himself similarly moved.
"I cannot imagine why Iris insists upon being married down here at all," he said, without hostility.
"She couldn't have been married from that tiny flat of hers, and I think it's natural she should want it to be from her brother's house. It will have to be very quiet, as they won't have room for any sort of reception. Besides, it would be very unsuitable, and I'm glad to say that Mark has made her see it."
"How many of 'we Garretts' are going to grace the scene?"
"Mr. Garrett only has a father," said Edna repressively. "He is to stay at the cottage."
"Tell Mark that we can put up anyone he likes, for a night or two."
"Indeed, yes. In a household where every item must count, a guest is rather a serious consideration, I'm afraid. Mark will probably be thankful when it's all over."