‘Do you mean to say he’s been talking to you in that way?’ he cried angrily.
Alice had spoken with thoughtless petulance. She hastened eagerly to correct her error.
‘As if I meant it! Don’t be stupid, Dick. Of course he hasn’t said a word; I believe he’s engaged to somebody; I thought so from something he said a little while ago. The idea of me marrying a man like that!’
He examined her closely, and Alice was not afraid of telltale cheeks.
‘Well, I can’t think you’d be such a fool. If I thought there was any danger of that, I’d soon stop it.’
‘Would you, indeed! Why, that would be just the way to make me say I’d have him. You’d have known that if only you read novels.’
‘Novels!’ he exclaimed, with profound contempt. ‘Don’t go playing with that kind of thing; it’s dangerous. At least you can wait a week or two longer. I’ve only let him see so much of you because I felt sure you’d got common sense.’
‘Of course I have. But what’s to happen in a week or two?’
‘I should think you might come to Wanley for a little. We shall see. If mother had only ‘Arry in the house, she might come back to her senses.’
‘Shall I tell her you’ve been to London?’