"Really—I should like to have the chance."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Just the words. I should like to spoil Di. She has never had much of that sort of bad influence."
"That sounds very weak, to me," said Mrs. Starling.
"To whom should a man show himself weak, if not toward his wife?" said
Basil carelessly.
"Your wife will not thank you for it."
"I will endeavour to retain her respect," said Basil in the same way; which aggravated Mrs. Starling, beyond bounds. Something about him always did try her temper, she said to herself.
"Diana is going to have a fever," she spoke abruptly.
"I am afraid of it."
"What's brought it on?"