And when, during the latter part of the feast, after half-time, Mrs. Carruthers, on his left, paid a compliment to the savoury (an entente cordiale of chicken's liver and mushroom) the Colonel made practically the same reply to her.
When we are deploring the inconsistency of human nature and the speed with which friend can become foe, let us not forget that, under other circumstances, the transition from adversary to advertising agent can be equally swift and complete.
XVI
Ben brought me occasional reports of her progress and whatever other news there might be; and I looked forward to these visits.
"We've been having the oddest applications," she said. "You have no idea how helpless people can be. They want advice on everything."
"The astonishing thing," I replied, "is that you can give it on such a variety of subjects."
"I don't know that I can," she said, "but I try to. And if one is fairly emphatic, it seems to satisfy them. I suppose decisiveness is very comforting. I see them positively adding an inch or two to their stature when I just say 'Yes' or 'No,' without any qualifications to dilute those excellent words. It's extraordinary how few people seem to have any initiative. And if one can't answer a question oneself," she went on, "one probably knows someone who can. I am requisitioning all my friends. Some day I shall put an awkward client on to you."
"I hope you will," I said.