“Ah! Business is a very good antechamber to marriage,” said Daddy, with a chuckle.
“It may be. I remain in the antechamber.”
“Tut, tut! Of course you say so. You are really becoming like other people, Ronnie. I see you have sold your pictures!”
“Is that anyone’s affair but mine?”
“Well, yes, I think so. A sale is everybody’s affair. There’s nothing sacred about it. I always told you they were wasted at Faldon. Nobody saw ’em but spiders and mice.”
Hurstmanceaux was silent.
“What an uncommunicative beggar he is,” thought Daddy. “When one thinks that I’ve known him ever since he was in knickerbockers with his hair down to his waist!”
“Is it true that Roxhall buys back Vale Royal?” he asked.
“Ask Roxhall,” said Hurstmanceaux, “and I fear I must leave you now and walk on faster to the station.”
But Gwyllian held him by the lappet of his coat.