“And mine,” interposed Mr Carter.
“And yours—really, we are not likely to forget it, my dear Basil. Would you allow me to speak a few words without interruption? I should thank you so much if you would. This morning, Miss Norah, I took a box for this evening’s performance at the Gaiety Theatre——”
Again there came an interruption from Mr Carter.
“When you say that you took a box I presume you mean that you went through the mechanical operation of having it booked in your name. I paid for half of it.”
“My dear Basil, once more you are interrupting me. You appear to be incapable of allowing me to conclude a sentence. If you only would, you would find that I should explain everything to your most perfect satisfaction. Miss Norah, as Basil puts it, we took a box, and I shall be only too delighted if you will share my half of it.”
“I hope, Miss Norah, that you will share mine.”
“Basil, you are really trying. I invite Miss Norah, and before she has an opportunity of saying Yes or No, you cap my invitation with one of your own.”
“I presume, my dear fellow, that I am at liberty to invite whom I please. It was only owing to the accident of your having the glibbest tongue that my invitation did not come first.”
“Come, Basil, you are behaving like a schoolboy. I tell you what we’ll do—I’ll purchase your share of the box.”
“I decline to sell.”