I walked to where he stood, leaving Jane and Mr. Spelvin in earnest conversation with their heads close together.
“I say,” said William, in a rumbling undertone, “who’s the bird with Jane?”
“A man named Spelvin. He is visiting the Wyndhams. I suppose Mrs. Wyndham made them acquainted.”
“Looks a bit of a Gawd-help-us,” said William critically.
“He is going to walk round with you.”
It was impossible for a man of William Bates’s temperament to start, but his face took on a look of faint concern.
“Walk round with us?”
“So Jane said.”
“But look here,” said William. “I can’t possibly seize her and clasp her in my arms and do all that hot-breath stuff with this pie-faced exhibit hanging round on the out-skirts.”
“No, I fear not.”