‘Then there’s no need?’

‘No—oh no. It was just—you know—the old, old story.’

He eyes his father suspiciously, but not a muscle in Mr. Torrance’s countenance is out of place.

‘I see. It hasn’t—left you bitter about the sex, Roger, I hope?’

‘Not now. She—you know what women are.’

‘Yes, yes.’

‘You needn’t mention it to mother.’

‘I won’t.’ Mr. Torrance is elated to share a secret with Roger about which mother is not to know. ‘Think your mother and I are an aged pair, Roger?’

‘I never——of course you are not young.’

‘How long have you known that? I mean, it’s true—but I didn’t know it till quite lately.’