“But her friend, Mrs. Hart, is a trump.”
“So? Nobody would suspect it from her looks. Her austere coloring inspires a certain kind of awe.”
“She’s no longer young. But she’s very agreeable, all the same. We talked a good deal together. She asked me to call. You weren’t a bit clever.”
“No?”
“No, sir. If you had been, you would have devoted yourself to Mrs. Hart. Then she would have invited you to call, too. So you could have cultivated Mrs. Lehmyl at your leisure.”
“But you and I are one. You can take me to call with you, can’t you?”
“I don’t know about that. She asked me to drop in informally any afternoon. You’re never home in the afternoon. Besides, you’re old enough to receive an invitation for yourself.”
“Nonsense! You can arrange it easily enough. Ask permission to bring your Fidus Achates.”
“I’ll see about it. If you behave yourself for the next week or two, perhaps I’ll exert my influence. By the way, how did you like Mrs. Lehmyl’s playing?”
“She played uncommonly well—didn’t you think so?”