"But damn it! I couldn't. It would've made talk if I'd pulled out when you wanted me to."
"There would have been no occasion for any talk whatever if you'd known how to comport yourself as the guest of decent people."
And still Marbridge husbanded his resentment.
"Oh well!" he said, aggrieved—"women!"
Matthias threw away his cigarette and prepared to rise.
"Hold on a bit," Marbridge checked him. "I want to ask a favour of you.... Of course, you're right; I am a bad actor, and all that. I'm sorry I forgot myself at Tanglewood—word of honour, I am!"
"Well?" Matthias suggested with an unmoved face.
"Look here...." Marbridge sat up eagerly. "I think you're a mighty good sort—"
"Thanks!"
"You didn't blow about that business down there—"