“He’s away, that young fellar of yours—he’s up and away. Always knew he had the stuff, from the day when I ran off with him in a station fly and talked fairies under the trees. He’s learnt—knew he would, and he has. Oh! he’s learnt well! Wouldn’t mind laying a fiver he’s taken a share of his knowledge from you.”
“That’s nice of you.”
“Not a bit—common sense! Tell you what, though—’tween us two—that speech was a mistake. Cheap and nasty! Drop him a hint, there’s a clever girl, to cut all that stuff right out.”
Eve smiled. “Have you ever tried to drop Wynne hints about things like that?”
“I’ve thrown him a slab of wisdom from time to time. Not that kind, perhaps. But that’s what I say—you tell him. You’ve the opportunity. Ha!” He threw up his head. “That’s one of the good things in life that I’ve missed.”
“What is?”
“To have some one who, in the night, will touch my foot with her littlest toe and breathe over the pillow all the naughty mistakes I’ve made during the day.”
“I see,” said Eve.
Something in her tone discouraged him.
“ ’Course that mayn’t be the way it’s done; I’ve no experience, but I’ve fondly imagined it was so.”