'You pay me a great compliment, Alec,' cried Dick. 'You repeat to my very face one of my favourite observations.'
Julia looked at him steadily.
'Haven't I heard you say that only the impossible is worth doing?'
'Good heavens,' he cried. 'I must have been quoting the headings of a copy-book.'
Lucy felt that she must say something. She had been watching Alec, and her heart was nearly breaking. She turned to Dick.
'Are you going down to Southampton?' she asked.
'I am, indeed,' he answered. 'I shall hide my face on Alec's shoulder and weep salt tears. It will be most affecting, because in moments of emotion I always burst into epigram.'
Alec sprang to his feet. There was a bitterness in his face which was in odd contrast with Dick's light words.
'I loathe all solemn leave-takings,' he said. 'I prefer to part from people with a nod or a smile, whether I'm going for ever or for a day to Brighton.'
'I've always assured you that you're a monster of inhumanity,' said Mrs. Lomas, laughing difficultly.