All that time I was getting to know him, and all that time I was liking him more.
V
One afternoon of that late winter he came to my rooms and asked me if I thought he ought to return the invitations of the Severns. I told him that they knew he wasn't well off, and that they certainly wouldn't expect to be invited to dinner at an expensive hotel or anything like that. He answered that he hadn't been thinking of dinner, but of tea.
"But I thought tea was always impossible for you?"
"Not if I—if I managed it."
"I see.... Well, I think you'd better manage it. It's a good idea."
"Do you really think so?" He seemed pleased. "As a matter of fact, I met Mrs. Severn in the street just now, and I hinted at it—vaguely."
"Well? Did she accept?"
"Yes. She's coming—next Thursday. And Severn as well."
So it was all settled, and I was merely being asked to register approval. I duly registered, and was then rewarded by an invitation myself. "I'll be delighted to come," I assured him. "But where are you going to have them? You can't very well——"