“I can’t help it either,” she said, in a voice which she tried to make nonchalant. “I don’t know what’s come over me.”
“It’s a little awkward for me, isn’t it?” said Philip.
She gave him a quick look.
“You’re taking it pretty calmly, I must say.”
“What do you expect me to do? Do you want me to tear out my hair in handfuls?”
“I knew you’d be angry with me.”
“The funny thing is, I’m not at all. I ought to have known this would happen. I was a fool to bring you together. I know perfectly well that he’s got every advantage over me; he’s much jollier, and he’s very handsome, he’s more amusing, he can talk to you about the things that interest you.”
“I don’t know what you mean by that. If I’m not clever I can’t help it, but I’m not the fool you think I am, not by a long way, I can tell you. You’re a bit too superior for me, my young friend.”
“D’you want to quarrel with me?” he asked mildly.
“No, but I don’t see why you should treat me as if I was I don’t know what.”