"Good God, she ought to be! Probably she's got enough sense to know what's a bargain, anyway."
"I think you're a bit too severe, Charles. After all, we've only seen her for a week."
"Well, Fanny, answer me a straight question—are you really pleased with her?"
"No, I can't say I am, but I realise we've got to make the best of her. After all, men do make silly mistakes, don't they?"
"Over women they do, that's a fact.... You know, it's just struck me—that old chap Ervine's played a dam' smart game."
"What do you mean?"
"I bet he put her on to it. I thought I was getting somethin' out of him when I had that talk over the 'phone, but I'll acknowledge he's gone one better on me. Smart man, Ervine. I like a smart man, even if it's me he puts it across. I like him better than his daughter."
"I should hate him. I think the whole business is dreadful. Perfectly dreadful.... Did you tell Rogers he could go to bed? ... I said breakfast at nine-thirty ... yes, ten if you like ..."
The voices trailed off into the distance.