Basil said, 'Well, may I?'
Evie returned, 'Rather. Stop to supper.'
'I can't do that, thanks very much. But I'll come in for a moment, if I may.'
As they entered Violette's tiny hall, the clock struck seven. They went into the drawing-room, where Mrs. Frampton and Kate sat knitting. It was stiff and prim and tidy, and rather stuffy, and watched from the wall by the monstrous Eye.
'Here's Mr. Doye, mother,' said Evie. 'He saw Alix home.'
Mr. Doye was introduced to Kate. Mrs. Frampton said how kind it was of him to see Alix home.
'Particularly with the streets black like they are now. Have we a right to expect to be preserved if we go against all common-sense like that?'
'I never do,' said Basil, meaning he never expected to be preserved, but Mrs. Frampton took it that he never went against common-sense.
'Well, I'm sure I go out after dark as little as I can; but the girls have to, coming back from work, and it makes me worry for them.... Now you sit in that easy-chair, Mr. Doye, and make yourself comfortable, and rest your hand. It's going on well, I hope? You'll stop and have some supper, of course? We have it at half-past seven, so it won't keep you long.'
Basil said he wouldn't, because he was dining somewhere at eight.