"Well, and what did she say to that?" he enquired.
"She said she would ask her mother about it."
Uncle Joseph nodded.
"They always do," he commented. "And what did Mother say?"
"Her mother said—" Philip hesitated.
"Go on," said Uncle Joseph quietly.
"She said that—that the reason why you thought that all women should be avoided was known only to one woman, and she wouldn't tell."
Colonel Meldrum rose to his feet, and laid his pipe upon the mantelpiece with a slight clatter. Philip eyed him curiously. There was a change in his appearance. He seemed to have grown older during the last ten seconds. The lines of his face were sharper, and his stiff shoulders drooped a little.
Then came a long and deathlike stillness. Uncle Joseph had turned his back, and was gazing into the glowing fire, with his head resting on his arms. Philip, feeling a little frightened, waited.
At last Uncle Joseph spoke.