“I’m what dull people call very fit and cheery.”
“How dreadful! Now, tell me—are you engaged to-night? I’m sure you aren’t, because I want you to take me to dine at the Bella Napoli. We agreed to tell each other when we were free. So I take you at your word.”
“Oh, I’m awfully sorry!”
“What?”
“I’m ever so sorry.”
“Why?”
“I have a dinner engagement to-night.”
“What a bore! But surely you can get out of it?”
“I’m afraid not. No, really I can’t.”
“Send an excuse! Say you are ill.”