Sir William had turned quickly and was now holding Gladys lightly at arms length. ‘What’s the idea, Gladys? Amusing yourself, or love at first sight?’
She met his look bravely. ‘It’s real, Bill. You won’t mind. You’re too decent—and friendly. You ought to be glad.’
‘Oh!—ought I?—you monkey! Sharp work, I must say. But—tell me—is it—both sides? What about him?’
She nodded gravely. Then suddenly her face lit up, and the sentimental boy who still lived on inside him felt as if he were catching a glimpse of sunrise in a lost world. It was indeed the most exquisite sensation she had ever given him, and he struggled hard not to enjoy it. ‘I can’t begin to tell you——’ she began.
‘Then don’t,’ he broke in, still at odds with himself.
Then he softened: ‘No, go on. Let’s hear all about it.’
She came nearer and put a hand on his arm. ‘There isn’t time. But listen, Bill. It’s no good pretending to be cross. I know you don’t mean it. He’s coming to town, to be with me. I want him to do something, put his back into it, and I know he will. You saw what he was like before, absolutely fed up, not caring a damn about anything. Well, I’m knocking that on the head, knocked it already.’
‘Ah, the old game, eh?’ He chuckled over her. ‘Reforming him already, are we? Then it’s serious.’
‘It is, but it’s going to be a hell of a lark too. Now you’ve got to help. You can easily find him a job, you’ve plenty to spare.’
‘For solid downright cheek,’ he exclaimed, ‘give me a young woman who thinks herself in love.’