“Nothing fresh to say,” Harrison had replied.
“But I have,” Vernon continued; and then Lady Ulrica definitely put her weight into the scale by saying, “How fascinating! Something really new in the way of evidence?”
“Or only a réchauffé?” Harrison interpolated.
“At least you might let one state a case,” Vernon said as Greatorex joined the other four and sat down with a grunt beside his wife.
“We saw you gesticulating picturesquely against the sunset, G.,” Harrison remarked, as though he would even now create a diversion and defer the discussion indefinitely.
Greatorex snorted; quite conscious of the fact that in Harrison’s presence he always played up in manner to that part of the buccaneer which had been thrust upon him, although he disclaimed it in speech.
“Been discussing the effects of sunset on temperament,” he said.
“But did you see the Moon?” asked Mrs. Harrison, rather in the tone of one who introduces a delightful piece of scandal.
“Afraid I missed that,” Greatorex said. “But I expect Fell has found it. He’s probably worshipping now.”
“Oh! but you ought,” Mrs. Harrison asserted, still intent no doubt, on keeping away from the subject of spiritualism, for her husband’s sake. “It was like a rather badly done stage moon balanced on the scenery. Sha’n’t we all go and worship with Mr. Fell?”