"You will take particular notice," he observed, "that I said dinner. There was no mention of drinks."
"I was hoping it was an oversight."
He shook his head. "I am fond of you, Victor, but I have a sense of duty towards my family."
Then, as Mr. Hall Caine would say, he went out into the snow.
He turned up again at a quarter to four in a fur coat, with a large basket in his hand.
I looked at him in stern disapproval.
"I shall not come with you," I said, "unless you dress yourself decently and leave the basket behind. I hate walking about with people who carry baskets."
"I don't," he said, "so you shall carry it."
"May I ask if you wish to lug the turkey about London?" I inquired.
"I don't wish to," he replied, "but the wife——"