[Peevishly.] My dear fellow, I wish you’d thought of mentioning it before I came down. Then I might have had a more substantial luncheon. Where’s that rice-pudding?

[Helps himself. There is a rather constrained silence.

Aubrey.

It’s really very good of you to have come down to see us, Cayley.

Cayley.

[Pulling himself together.] Very good of you to say so, my dear chap.

[Tackles his rice-pudding manfully.

Aubrey.

My wife and I can so seldom get any man to drop in to dinner nowadays.

Cayley.