Miss Ley, shaking with inward laughter, had listened to the scene with amazement. Lauria continued her apologetic explanations.
“You know, I have to keep a sharp eye on his money because he’s rather inclined to tipple. I’ve got him out of it, but I’m always afraid he’ll drop into a pub if I don’t look out. His mother must be about the biggest fool you’ve met, isn’t she?”
Mrs. Reggie glanced at a box of cigarettes, and the other, noticing the yellow on her forefinger, concluded she was an eager smoker; it was easy to put her in comfort.
“Would you give me a cigarette?”
“Oh, d’you smoke?” cried Lauria, with a bright look of pleasure. “I was simply dying for a fag, but I didn’t want to shock you.”
They lit up, and Miss Ley drew towards her another chair.
“D’you mind if I put my feet up? I always think that only quadrupeds should keep their longer extremities constantly dangling.”
With a faint smile, she essayed to make smoke-rings.
“You’re all right,” said Lauria, with a little nod. “I’m glad you came. I wanted to have a talk with someone who knew Reggie’s mother. I suppose she’s in a fury. I wanted him to tell her beforehand, but he didn’t dare. Besides, he never does a thing straightforwardly if he can do it crooked. And as for lying—well, he’s worse than a woman. You can tell his mother it’ll take me all my time to make a gentleman of her son.”
Miss Ley smiled dryly.