"Summertown wants me to go abroad with him. I don't know whether to accept or not."
"He asked me, too." Crabtree called out. "I wish you'd make up your great mind, Raney."
O'Rane kept his eyes fixed on the face in front of him.
"Which is it to be, Sonia?" he asked.
"My dear, I don't care," she answered. "Of course, it'll be more amusing for Lord Summertown if Tony goes. There's a compliment for you," she called out, blowing a kiss across the hall. Crabtree bowed with mock gravity. "You're getting dreadfully ponderous in your old age, David. On the other hand, I don't believe I can spare Tony. How long are you going to be away?"
"Six months if Crabtree goes. Three to five years if I do. It won't be with Summertown the whole time; I shall have business to attend to. I didn't know whether you——"
Sonia clasped her hands with a dramatic gesture of surprise.
"My dear! you are humble all of a sudden! I'm honoured! Have I any wishes ...? Dear me!"
"Then I may take it you haven't?"