"And the official consent to it was obtained by a trick."
She whispered, her heart in the heels of her Louis Quinze shoes:
"Please—please don't call it that!"
"How can I call it anything else? Besides, has it occurred to you that, should any copies of to-day's issue get through these lines, the Foltlebarres will be thrown into a state of volcanic eruption?"
"If the Foltlebarres aren't absolute beetles they'll jump for joy. How could their boy possibly do better?"
"I don't see how myself."
"Ah, if you're going to back up Toby, the day is as good as won."
"You're very kind to say so."
The red was dying out of Lady Hannah's ear-tips. That "You're very kind" had a gratified sound. The most rigorous and implacable of men can be buttered, she thought, if the emollient be dexterously applied. And a bright spark of naughty triumph snapped in each of her birdlike black eyes.
"Thanks." He was speaking again. "Apologies for keeping you. You're up to your eyes in Hospital work, I don't doubt."