‘And how unlucky you feel yourself in reality,’ she replied. ‘Don’t try to deceive me by talking in that way. Well, I hope you will like Monk’s Gate, and that you will be—happy there.’
‘And I may come here sometimes?’
‘Of course.’
‘I shall invite you and Miss Shuttleworth to come and have tea with me. I know Miss Shuttleworth honours that repast more than any other.’
Nita laughed a little dry laugh.
‘We will be sure to come,’ she said, ‘and we shall expect toast and teacakes, and then bread and butter. I hope you will see that the tea is strong enough, and that your servant puts a clean cloth on the table. I hope you like housekeeping on that scale.’
She spoke rather savagely, as if she took a delight in saying something almost insulting to him.
‘What do you mean?’ he asked.
‘Only that I wonder you can talk in such a manner. I wonder you can submit to such an arrangement. It is monstrous!’ she answered, indignantly.
It was Wellfield’s turn to laugh.