“By way of being helpful, or mere airy persiflage?” inquired Randall.
“Airy persiflage. Your style,” said Stella.
“You must learn to appreciate me better, darling. My style is unique.”
“All right. Just as well if it is. Anyway, aunt was annoyed and she ate some bacon, by way of proving that the sardine hadn't upset her.”
“One moment,” interposed Randall. “I like to have things clear. Does the sardine play a major part in the story? Because if so I should wish to have its role carefully explained to me.”
“No, it was the savoury at dinner, that's all.”
“If it was really all, Aunt Harriet's economy must have reached a staggering pitch,” commented Randall.
Stella gave a spurt of laughter, but became instantly sober again. “Randall, you mustn't joke. It isn't funny. And it's beastly of you to laugh at—at a thing like this.”
“Acquit me, darling. I only wanted to raise a laugh out of you.”
She turned her head to look at him. “Why?”