"Nothing to speak of," I said; "but the idea's good. Carry on, John."
"Ah, well, the idea's the thing, as Shakspeare said. Anyway, the point is that 'Ex-Soldier' has awakened my sense of manhood. In future I shall, as I say, take my rightful position."
"Indeed," said Margery; "and how are you going to set about it?"
"Well, here's a case to begin with," said John. "I have said that I won't be dragged round to your beastly village revels to-morrow, and I stick to it. What Alan does is his own concern. For my part I shall spend to-morrow evening having a quiet million up on the table."
"I'm with you," I said; "we will bash the globules together."
Margery decided to change her tone.
"Don't be beastly, John," she said; "you know Cecilia expects you to come with us."
John laughed softly.
"Precisely, my dear Margery," he said, "and that's a very good reason why I shouldn't go. Cecilia always does expect me to do everything she wants. And I'm so good-natured I have always given way. But never again, Margery; I shall not come to the concert. I shall say to Cecilia, 'Cecilia, I am not coming to your concert,' and that will end the matter."
"Then I think you're a selfish beast," said Margery.