At the other end of the line a gentle, rather tired voice said:
"Don't cut me off. If you know the trouble I've had to get hold of you! Eric, why aren't you in the book? Another device for escaping your adorers? I've been pursuing you round London for a good half-hour; then your people at the theatre——"
"Is it anything important?" he interrupted curtly.
"It's very important that you should listen most politely and carefully and patiently and attentively when I'm talking to you. So far you haven't asked how I am, you haven't told me how you are——"
"I've suggested that I'm very busy," he interrupted her again.
"But I don't allow that sort of thing to stand in the way."
"And I don't allow any one to break into my time. Good-bye——"
"Eric, don't you dare ring me off! I want to know whether you'll lunch here to-day. I've collected rather an amusing party."
"I'm afraid I can't."
"Where are you lunching? At home? Then you can certainly come.… I don't care who's lunching with you.… If you don't—Well, you'll see. In the meantime, has Marion Shelley invited you to dine to-night and are you going?"