"I won't keep you long. How did the supper-party go off?"
"Damnably. Two tame novelists turned up ... Boltt and Lensley!"
"Those asses!"
"Yes. Lensley 'chattered' to Lady Cecily, and Boltt bored and bored and bored.... I took him down a bit. I rubbed in the Morning Report review. The little toad could hardly sit still! Of course, he affected the superior person attitude!"
"God be merciful to him, poor little rat! He wants to be a wicked, hell-for-leather fellow, but he hasn't got the stomach for it! What did Cecily say when I didn't turn up?"
"She looked rather cross. She told me as we came away to tell you she was angry with you. You're to go and apologise to her as soon as possible!"
"Did she?"
"Yes. I say, Gilbert, why didn't you turn up?"
They had reached the Embankment, and they crossed to the riverside and leant against the parapet.
"Because I was afraid to," said Gilbert.