"Again, why?"
"Because he's your father."
"Did you observe that Miss Lotty Trent cut you dead at the Queen's to-day?"
"I did notice it, and, like you, I wonder why."
"I can tell you."
"I don't think you'd better bother. Miss Trent's opinion of me really doesn't matter——"
"It was because you were with me."
"But what a silly reason—if it is a reason."
"Captain Middleton, will you answer a question quite truthfully?"
"I'll try."