Yes, and a big one, to be scientifically accurate; yet the proudest and happiest young fellow in all the metropolis just now, possessed by the demon of Damn the Consequences.
CHAPTER XVIII
IN WHICH THE CONSEQUENCES ARE DAMNED
WITH NO UNCERTAINTY
Muffins and Chayney Tea in Grandmamma’s withdrawing-room were not out of place, because the afternoon had been really so strenuous; moreover, Grandmamma herself did not appear to view the guilty pair with the eye of disfavor. But that was breeding, doubtless. Not that Mr. Philip entered into any exhaustive inquiry. When you are in the seventh heaven, even the eye of Edward Bean’s goddaughter may be bereft of some of its terrors.
“We had such a lovely lunch at Pagani’s, Granny dear.”
“Had you, my dear? How interesting!”
Did Granny mean it was interesting, or did she mean it wasn’t? You see, you never quite know—do you?—when the elocution of old ladies who have kept pretty good company for about eighty-four summers is so very clear-cut.
“And what do you think, Granny? I have been with Phil-ipp to take a perfectly lovely little flat on a three years’ lease in Knightsbridge, overlooking the park.”
“With whom have you been, my dear?”
Now we do think that was just a little unkind of Granny, don’t you?
Mary’s elocution, though, in the opinion of Mr. Hollins—and he’s an authority—was worth two hundred a week to the Lane; so it came in very useful just now, and showed that she was not going to be put out of court as easily as all that.