'My dear Major,' said Harding, 'what on earth is the matter with you?
You've been working too hard…. But, by the way, I forgot to tell you
I've just finished a novel which I shall be glad if you'll copy it for
me. You haven't shown me your machine. Come.'
'I shall be very glad to have your work to do, Harding, but I can't talk to you about it just at present. You must excuse me, I've an explanation to make. Oh, do not think of going, dear Lady Castlerich, do not let my costume frighten you away. These are my working clothes. The last money I took from my wife was sixteen pounds to buy a type- writing machine. I made five shillings last week, four shillings went towards paying for the machine. When I am clear of that debt I shall make enough to pay for my room and my meals. I had always intended then to put my house in order.'
'But, my dear Major,' said Lady Castlerich, trying to get past him, 'your house is charmin', the drawing-room is perfectly charmin', I don't know a more charmin' room.'
'The room is well enough, it is what one hears in the room.'
'Hears in the room! Major, I'm sure our conversation has been most agreeable.'
'You'll agree with me that it is a little hard that my daughter should have to sit in her bedroom all day.'
'But we should be charmed to have her here,' expostulated the old lady. 'She was here just now, but she ran away.'
'Yes; she ran away from the conversation.'
'Ran away from the conversation, Major! Now what were we talking about, Olive?'
'I don't know…. He's in one of his mad humours, pay no attention to him, Lady Castlerich,' said Mrs. Lahens.