Frank took up a cigarette and put in his mouth.
"By the way," he said, taking it out again, "when'll you send your ladies round? The morning's best, when the rest of us are out of the way."
"All right."
"Well, I don't think there's anything else?"
"My dear chap," said the other, "I wish you'd tell me what it's all about—why you're in this sort of life, you know. I don't want to pry, but—"
Frank smiled suddenly and vividly.
"Oh, there's nothing to say. That's not the point. It's by my own choice practically. I assure you I haven't disgraced anybody."
"But your people—"
"Oh! they're all right. There's nothing the matter with them.... Look here! I really must be going."
He stood up, and something seemed to snap in the atmosphere as he did so.