“You won’t let her invite these new people, the Massarenes?”
“Most decidedly not. Is it necessary to inquire?”
“Well, you see, you put her in a hole.”
“Your language is not mine; but I conclude you mean that I inconvenience her. I regret it if it be so, but I cannot say otherwise.”
“Why did you object to the people?”
“I might more pertinently inquire why did you know them?”
“Everybody does.”
“Everybody does—through you, or rather through your wife. At least, so I have heard.”
“Oh, we run ’em, yes.”
Otterbourne’s silence was eloquent.