“I should decline.”
Van rose; he fiddled with his hat a little; he hesitated. He had staked too much on this—for had he not promised to report the whole thing to Richard Arden, who was not likely to be pleased?—to give up without one last effort.
“I hope I am not very impertinent,” he said, “but I can hardly think, Mr. Longcluse, that you are quite indifferent to a reconciliation.”
“I'm not indifferent—I'm averse to it.”
“I don't understand.”
“Will you take some tea?”
“No, thanks; I do so hope that I don't quite understand.”
“That's hardly my fault; I have spoken very distinctly.”
“Then what you wish to convey is——” said Van, with his hand now at the door.
“Is this,” said Longcluse, “that I decline Mr. Arden's acquaintance, that I won't consider his affairs, and that I peremptorily refuse to be of the slightest use to him in his difficulties. I hope I am now sufficiently distinct.”