"Always gratify people when you can innocently."
"How far?" said Rotha, laughing now in the midst of a little vexation. "I know they are just aching for an invitation to Southwode. There has been enough said to let me see that."
"That must be as your husband pleases."
"That must be as my wife pleases," said Mr. Southwode with a smile.
Poor Rotha passed both hands hastily over her face, as if she would wipe away the heat and the colour; then letting them fall, turned her face full to the last speaker.
"Mr. Southwode, you do not want to see them there!"
"Miss Rotha, I do not. But—if you do, I do."
"That throws all the responsibility upon me."
"My dear," said Mrs. Mowbray, "that is what men always like to do—get rid of responsibility—if they can find somebody else to put it on."
"Ever since Adam's day—" Mr. Southwode added.