"Not—not in the way you imply. The fact is, I was let in for a—a rather unpleasant scene the other day with Mrs. Levitt."
"I always thought," said Fanny, "that woman would let you in for something. Well?"
"Well, I hardly know how to tell you about it, my dear."
"Why, was it as bad as all that? Perhaps I'd better not know."
"I want you to know. I'm trying to tell you—because of Barbara."
"I can't see where Barbara comes in."
"She came into the library while it was happening—"
Fanny laughed and it disconcerted him.
"While what was happening?" she said. "You'd better tell me straight out. I don't suppose it was anything like as bad as you think it was."
"I'm only afraid of what Barbara might think."