"And however much Fred admires him, he has got a wife."
Gareth gave it up. "Who has?"
"Mr. Kirby."
Then the object of her affection was that little Maori with the slanting yellow eyes. Gareth felt relieved. But why had he been chosen for father confessor?
"He has—yes—certainly ... a very beautiful woman!"
("Oh, Lord—perhaps I ought to have left that unsaid!")
"And you have a wife."
"And you have a husband," ... he was convinced now that it was a comic game they were playing, in which he had to fulfil his due share....
"Then why doesn't she look after him?"
This apparently referred to Kathleen and Fred Worley—an improbable conjunction. Cautiously Gareth waited for more.