“Oh, of course I understand, old boy! But don't think, anyway, that I should care a damn—I mean as far as I'm concerned—even if you had gone as far as ever you liked, considering what you have to put up with. What I'm thinking of is the general situation.”
By this clear statement of his point of view Stephen felt he had put things back on a broad basis, and recovered his position as a man of liberal thought. He too leaned over, looking at the ducks. There was a silence. Then Hilary said:
“If Bianca won't get that child into some fresh place, I shall.”
Stephen looked at his brother in surprise, amounting almost to dismay; he had spoken with such unwonted resolution.
“My dear old chap,” he said, “I wouldn't go to B. Women are so funny.”
Hilary smiled. Stephen took this for a sign of restored impersonality.
“I'll tell you exactly how the thing appeals to me. It'll be much better for you to chuck it altogether. Let Cis see to it!”
Hilary's eyes became bright with angry humour.
“Many thanks,” he said, “but this is entirely our affair.”
Stephen answered hastily: