“No, thanks. If you will drop me at Hyde Park Corner I will take a homely bus, and return to my Bloomsbury level.”

“Until my next free afternoon, I hope. Will you come again soon?”

“Perhaps.”

“What do you do on Sundays?”

“I generally go out with Dick Bruce.”

“Does Dick Bruce consider himself entitled to every Sunday?”

“Well, I consider myself entitled to Dick!…” laughing.

“You’re evidently very fond of Dick.”

“Very,” with enthusiasm. “I have been for twenty-five years. We were like the two babies in Punch which said, ‘Help yourself and pass the bottle.’”

“Dick’s a lucky devil. Does he take Saturday afternoons as well?”