"Well, I was going to suggest you should come down and be introduced to the wife. She'd like to meet you!" Mr. Cream said, entering the sitting-room as he spoke.
John had a sensation of self-consciousness when he heard the word "wife."
"Settling down comfortably?" Mr. Cream continued.
"Oh, yes, thank you," said John. "I went out all day yesterday and had my first look at London!"
"And what do you think of it? Great place, eh?"
John confessed that he had been disappointed in London, and in a few moments he began to recite a list of the things that had disappointed him.
"Wait 'til you've been here a few months," Mr. Cream interrupted. "You'll love this town. You'll hate loving it, but you won't be able to help yourself. I've been all over the world, the wife and me, and I've seen some of the loveliest places on earth, but London's got me. You'll be the same. You see!" He glanced about the room, casting his eyes critically at the books. "I hear you're a writer, too?" he said, less as an assertion than as a question.
"I've written one book," John replied, "but it hasn't been printed. I want to discuss it with Mr. Hinde, but I haven't had a chance to do that yet. He's been away ever since I arrived. He'll be home the day though!"
"So Lizzie told me. Queer bird, Lizzie, isn't she?"
"Very," said John.