“It’s all a matter of friends.”
Peter had a different theory, but he did not say so. Just at that point they were joined by Laurence Ogden, who was duly introduced, and in a moment the conversation at their end of the table became general. Peter listened, enjoying his Havana.
When they joined the ladies, they found Lispenard Ogden there, and he intercepted Peter.
“Look here,” he said. “A friend of mine has just come back from Europe, with a lot of prints. He’s a fellow who thinks he has discrimination, and he wants me to come up and look them over to-morrow evening. He hopes to have his own taste approved and flattered. I’m not a bit good at that, with men. Won’t you go with me, and help me lie?”
“Of course I should like to.”
“All right. Dine with me at six at the Union Club.”
“I’m not going to let you talk to each other,” said Miss De Voe. “Lispenard, go and talk with Miss McDougal.”
“See how quickly lying brings its own punishment,” laughed Lispenard, walking away.
“What does he mean?” asked Miss De Voe.
“The opposite of what he says, I think,” said Peter.