“By the way, about sitting in the theatre, you’ll sit with me first, won’t you, Miss Norah? Now say you will?”
Mr Rumford interposed, before I could reply:
“That sort of thing is contrary to our agreement, Mr Hammond, entirely contrary. Personal appeals were expressly forbidden. We arranged the order in which the sitting was to be; and by that arrangement you undertook to stand.”
“That’s all very well, but according to that arrangement she was to sit first with you.”
“Precisely. Which makes my astonishment the greater that you should attempt to upset it.”
“And afterwards with Purchase.”
Then came Mr Purchase’s turn.
“Quite so; after sitting for twenty minutes with Mr Rumford.”
“And then with Carter.”
“Perfectly correct.” This Mr Carter. “Unfortunately, Miss Norah, I have not been able to get another box. So we have agreed that I shall remain outside Purchase’s box while he enjoys your company, and that then he shall go down to Mr Rumford’s stall when my turn comes.”