"That does not sound like him--possibly he was ironical."
"And when I thanked him," continued MacBirney, "he took the trouble to repeat: 'That song was beautifully sung.' Those were his exact words."
In spite of painful experiences it rarely occurred to Alice that her husband might be deceiving her, nor did she learn till long afterward that he had lied to her that night. With her feelings in some degree appeased she only made an incredulous little exclamation: "He didn't ask me to sing again," she added quietly.
MacBirney shrugged his shoulders. "He is peculiar."
"I try, Walter," she went on, lifting her eyes to his with an effort, "to be as pleasant as I can to all of these people, for your sake."
"I know it, Alice." He kissed her. "I know it. Let us see now what we can do to cultivate Robert Kimberly. He is the third rail in this combination, and he is the only one on the board of directors who voted finally against taking us in."
"Is that true?"
"So Doane told Lambert, in confidence, and Lambert told me."
"Oh, Lambert! That detestable fellow. I wouldn't believe anything he said anyway."
MacBirney bared his teeth pleasantly. "Pshaw! You hate him because he makes fun of your Church."