"You ungrateful wretch," he exclaimed. "I don't believe you care a rap about this part of your success."
"I don't; I hate it. I'd like to slip away and not hear any more about that book. I loved writing it and the making of it, but this fol-de-rol seems so childish."
"Mrs. Brendon would like that 'fol-de-rol!' She thinks that dinner was a brilliant event."
"It was sweet of her, of course."
"You get more of an enigma to me, Jane, as time goes on. You haven't one iota of personal vanity. Now, I love every ounce of success I can get. I'd like to be perpetual guest of honour. I want all the pomp and circumstance I can manage. That's how vain I am."
"I understand it, in you, Jerry, but I seem to be entirely different."
So sensitive was Jerry to public opinion that by insensible degrees he drifted into an acceptance of Jane's new position. He deferred to her opinions, he even referred to her work.
"What are you busy with now, Jane?" he inquired.
"I'm working out an absorbing situation," she answered, and outlined it to him. He was interested and they discussed it for some time. "It's all I can do to tear myself away from my desk these days; I feel as if I just must have more time."
"Can't we manage with lunch later?"