Evelyn turned and looked at Thirlwell with a careless smile. She was very composed, but Mrs. Allott thought she noted a trace of heightened color.
"Oh, no; it would be useless for me to try. Nobody could persuade Jim to do what he does not want."
"Aren't you taking something for granted?" asked Allott, who sat with the others, but had been silent. "Jim hasn't admitted that he doesn't want to come."
The girl gave Thirlwell a tranquil glance in which there was a hint of mockery.
"He has only a week left, and I imagine knows better than we do what will please him best," she replied, and turned to her companion.
"What have you to say to that?" Allott asked Thirlwell, with a twinkle.
"It looks as if Evelyn knew my character—I suppose I am obstinate. But I don't think she has stated the case correctly. It isn't that I don't want to come. Unfortunately, I can't."
The other guests were leaving the tables and Mrs. Allott, getting up, gave her husband a meaning glance.
"Then I must let Stephen talk to you. You may listen to his arguments; I have exhausted mine."
"You could not expect me to succeed where you have failed," Allott remarked, and touched Thirlwell as Mrs. Allott and Evelyn went away. "Shall we go upstairs for a smoke?"