“I don’t like to see you moping indoors on a bright day like this,” said Mrs. Heywood. “Take a brisk walk round the Park. It would cheer you up.”
Herbert resented the idea fiercely.
“A long walk in Battersea Park would make a pessimist of a laughing hyena.”
Mrs. Heywood was silent for some time, but then she made a last effort.
“Well, go and see a friend, dear. The Atkinson Browns, for instance.”
“They do nothing but nag at each other,” said Herbert. “And Atkinson Brown hasn’t as much brains as a Teddy Bear. Besides, he’s become friendly with that fellow Hargreaves, and I’m not going to take the risk of meeting a man who turned me out of my job.”
Mrs. Heywood became agitated.
“Are you sure of that, Herbert? I can’t think he could have been so malicious, after coming here and eating your salt, as it were. What was his reason?”
“He made no disguise of it,” said Herbert bitterly. “I saw his letter to my chief. Said that it was quite impossible to employ a man who was mixed up with the militant Suffragettes. Damned liar!”
“Good Heavens!” said Mrs. Heywood.