"You know Theo would hate it."
"I daresay. But he isn't here; so it can't matter to him. And he need not know anything about it."
"My dear! That would be worse than all!"
Evelyn frowned.
"Really, Honor, for a clever person, you're rather stupid. It would be simply idiotic to tell him what is sure to annoy him, when the thing's done and he can't prevent it."
The girl leaned back with an impatient sigh.
"If you feel so sure it will annoy him, why on earth do you do it? He is so good to you in every possible way."
A great longing came upon her to disclose all that he had been ready to relinquish five weeks ago.
"I know that without your telling me," Evelyn retorted sharply. "But I think I might do as I like just while I'm up here. And I mean to—whatever you say. The Kresneys came here, instead of going to Mussoorie, chiefly to see me. I can't ignore them; and I won't."
"Well, for goodness' sake, don't ask them to the house again, that's all." Then, because she could scarcely trust herself to say more on the subject, and because she had no wish to risk a quarrel, she added quickly: "A parcel came while we were out. Perhaps you'd like to open it before dinner."