"Did you take it seriously? Oh, you silly Michael!"
"But," said Michael, "how about Daddy's idea? He loved it."
"I loved it," said Anthony, "but I've given it up."
They knew that this was defeat, for Michael was top-dog. And it was also victory.
They had lost Nicholas, or thought they had lost Nicholas, by opposing him. But Michael and Michael's affection they would have always.
Besides, Anthony hadn't given up his idea. He had only transferred it--to his youngest son, John.
XV
It was five weeks since Nicholas's wedding-day and Desmond had quarrelled with him three times.
First, because he had taken a flat in Aubrey Walk, with a studio inside it, instead of a house in Campden Hill Square with a studio outside it in the garden.