'It was such fun. He was flat as a pancake when we'd done with him. Aunt Ellen was here. She told him with her most distinguished air she didn't want to be respected.'
'Dear Lady John!' murmured Miss Levering. 'I can hear her!'
'Quite right,' said Captain Beeching. 'Awful idea to think you're respected.'
'Simply revolting,' agreed Miss Heriot.
'Poor little man!' laughed Jean, 'and he thought he was being so agreeable!'
'Instead of which it was you.'
Miss Levering said the curious words quite pleasantly, but so low that only Jean heard them.
The girl looked up. 'Me?'
'You had the satisfaction of knowing you had made yourself immensely popular with all other men.'