Before he could speak Mr Purchase spoke for him.
“My dear Basil, Miss Norah is quite correct; you yourself confided to me that they were designed for Miss Audrey. If, however, Miss Norah, you will deign to accept these red roses they will have reached their proper destination.”
“It isn’t fair of you, Mr Purchase; as if I didn’t know that they were meant for Doris.”
This time it was Mr Carter who interposed.
“That certainly is the case, my dear Jack. You are yourself aware that at your request I this morning ordered some red roses for Miss Doris O’Brady, and that these are they.”
“A man is at liberty to change his mind.”
“Under certain circumstances.”
“A fact of which I avail myself to beg your acceptance of these roses, Miss Norah.”
“I would entreat Miss Norah to extend her condescension to these poor buds of mine.”
“My dear Basil, you are merely imitative.”