“What do they say?”
“They talk of you, Dad, and....”
“Well?”
“Marianne.”
“She is going to Baarn ... and then we sha’n’t see each other any more. People are always ready to jabber ... because I’ve gone cycling and motoring ... with Marianne.”
It was as though he were confessing and denying in the same breath.
“Addie,” he continued, “I cycled a great way to-day.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“I can always think best when I’m cycling like mad.”
“Yes, Dad, I know.”