The mild gaze was still concentrated, but if possible more limpid.
"... but somehow a little ... Mother thinks so, anyway."
"Oh, yes, I dare say," said Klondyke, with a casualness that rather annoyed the Prince.
"Fact is ... I might as well tell you..." The tone of the Prince implied nothing less than a taking of the bull by the horns. "We all think Mary is inclined to ... to..."
With nice deliberation, Klondyke laid "The Adventures of Dick Smith" on the hearthrug.
"Mother thinks," said the Prince plaintively, after a pause, "it would be better if he didn't come to the house so much."
Klondyke frowned heavily and tapped his pipe on a fire-dog.
"How long's he been coming here?" he asked.
"Some little time now."
Klondyke still frowned.