Volume Three—Chapter One.
Chumbley’s Idea.
“Chumbley,” said Bertie Hilton, “your behaviour towards that woman was sickening—almost disgusting! How you could be even civil to her is more than I can understand!”
“Oh, I’m always civil to a woman,” drawled Chumbley. “See how affable I always was to Helen Perowne, who—”
“Will you have the goodness to leave Miss Perowne’s name out of the conversation?” said Hilton, with asperity.
“Certainly, if you wish it, and substitute little Stuart’s name. See how civil I always was to her.”
“A merit certainly,” said Hilton, contemptuously. “Who could help being civil to so amiable and good a little body!”
“Here, hang it, Bertie, old man!” cried Chumbley, in mock alarm, “don’t monopolise all the nice women. It was Helen Perowne the other day. Now you seem dead on little Stuart!”