"I don't believe you've had any lunch," she admonished him, pouring out his third cup.
"Haven't. I came off in a hurry. I don't know that I ever tasted anything quite so good as this tongue of yours. You are a Good Samaritan, you know."
Lettice did not tell him he was eating up her Sunday dinner. She dismissed the subject with her little French shrug.
"And how's Mr. Gardiner?"
"Going strong. I say, would you very much mind if I had a pipe?" Lettice, who loathed tobacco, shook her head. "Sure? You really have all the virtues. By the way, can you lend me some money?"
If that did not startle her, nothing would! It did not startle her. She looked pensive for a moment, then asked: "How much do you want?"
"How much have you?"
"Nine sovereigns, and the change out of another."
"Could you possibly let me have the nine sovereigns?"