"You are always lecturing me," he said hotly. "Suppose I turn round and ask your wife how she enjoyed herself in that private box at the Gaiety the other night, what would you say? The plaintiff is expected to come into court with clean hands."
"Relations from the country must be shown a little attention."
"Especially when they are young and pretty."
"Not a drawback, certainly. I am older than you, Peter, and if the advice is not palatable, don't swallow it. Knowing your quicksilver nature, I ventured to turn on the danger signal. I shall not stand idly by with my hands in my pockets and see that nice little woman of yours neglected."
"It is ridiculous to talk of neglect. But because a man happens to get married does it follow that he should be tied to his wife's apron-strings for the rest of his natural life. In my opinion an occasional absence has a salutary effect, and brightens up the old love."
"I daresay that even the devil himself can find some plausible argument for his conduct. Go your own way, Peter. I only hope that the motive power for this freak is not a lady. You do not usually go away to enjoy yourself when the snow is on the ground."
"There is no lady at all in the case. The sole reason is that I want to see the carnival, and as Boulogne is about the nearest place I am going there. Won't you join me?"
"Not possible, I fear. I ought to have run across last autumn. A man there owes me a hundred pounds."
"Why not arrange to come. Kill two birds with one stone. Enjoy the carnival, draw your money. Away only three days."
"The 'copy' might be got ready," I answered, "by a night's sitting. But there is another obstacle."