"Wise after the event, what?"
Mr. Waddington thought: "He's trying to pump me." He was determined not to be pumped. Corbett should not get anything out of him.
"After what event? Fanny's called several times, but she doesn't care to keep it up. Neither, to tell the honest truth, do I…. Why?"
Sir John was twinkling at him in his exasperating way.
"Why? Because, my dear fellow, the woman's going about everywhere saying she's given you up."
"I don't care," said Mr. Waddington, "what she says. Quite immaterial to me."
"You mayn't care, but your friends do, Waddington."
"It's very good of them. But they can save themselves the trouble."
He thought: "He isn't going to get anything out of me."
"Oh, come, you don't suppose we believe a word of it."