"I never dreamed you meant to do anything so ill-bred, and - and atrocious!"
"No, but I do rather feel that we couldn't have got rid of Alexis in a well-bred way. As a matter of fact, I've been frightfully bothered about it the whole afternoon, because I found him making the most subtle love to Ermyntrude, and I couldn't see my way at all. Only he very kindly played right into my hands, setting the police on to me."
"I don't believe he did any such thing!"
"Oh, I'm pretty sure you're wrong there, Mary!" Hugh interposed. "Every time I've had the privilege of meeting him, he's managed to cast suspicion on to someone or other."
"Next you'll say that you enjoyed that vulgar exhibition!" snapped Mary.
"Well, I did, rather," Hugh confessed. "You must admit it was epic!"
"I don't admit anything of the kind. I feel hot with shame whenever I think of it."
"Poor sweet, that isn't shame: this room's awfully stuffy. I'll open a window, shall I?" suggested Vicky.
"No! I'm only sorry that you can't see how badly you've behaved. Hugh may think it was very funny, and egg you on, but Maurice didn't. He said you ought to be smacked!"
"How dear and mild of him! He's rather precious, isn't he? Hugh said I ought to have been drowned at birth."