'I want you to know, Henry. Such a wonderful thing has happened to me. See!'
On her third finger glittered a diamond in a circlet of gold.
'He wanted to give me a cluster, Henry. I wouldn't let him. I just didn't want him to be too extravagant. I love this stone.. I picked it out myself. At Welding's. And then he wished it on. And, Henry, I'm so happy! I can't bear to think that you and I—anybody—you know....'
Henry was critically, moodily, appraising the diamond.
'Can't we be friends, Henry?'
'Sure we can! Of course!'
'I just can't tell you how wonderful it is. I want everybody else to be happy.'
'I'm happy!' he announced, explosively, between set teeth.
She thought this over.
'I've heard a little talk, of course. I've been interested, too. Yes, I have! Cicely's a perfectly dandy girl. And she's—you know, that way. Knows so much about books and things. I didn't realise—that you were—you know, really—well, engaged?'