“Why, no, Dick. Why?”
“I just wondered, after she called it to my attention, why we hadn’t seen them in a long while. Not that I wanted to especially,” he added unnecessarily.
“We haven’t seen them for a long while. I miss Matthew, too. We used to have the finest talks. He had a way of making me think about things. I don’t know why I haven’t seen them, but I really haven’t seen anybody. For a while you know I was a bit down—low in my spirits, after——”
“Poor old Cecily. You certainly had every right”
“We mustn’t, Dick. It doesn’t sound as if we wanted the baby. I feel so guilty when I look at him to think I ever didn’t. Well, when I was feeling like that I didn’t want to see Fliss. She was so awfully gay—and so pretty and slim, you know. It used to irritate me. So I didn’t ask her here any more. And that meant not asking Matthew, of course, though I did miss him a lot.”
“Well, you’re slim enough now—and a lot prettier than Fliss ever was or could be—and with something to show for your trouble.”
“I know. But we don’t somehow jibe in ideals—Fliss and I. She likes that endless party-giving and party-going. I don’t think she wants any children.”
“Well,” said Dick, tolerantly, “she’s hardly the type.”
Cecily became a little rigid. “She hasn’t any right to dodge responsibilities. And I’m sure Matthew would like children. He is so fond of Dorothea and Leslie.”
“It’s hardly our business, dear.”