"Good-morning, Isabel," he said gaily.
"Good-morning, Bateman."
"How did you recognise my voice?"
"It is not so long since I heard it last. Besides, I was expecting you."
"When may I see you?"
"Unless you have anything better to do perhaps you'll dine with us to-night."
"You know very well that I couldn't possibly have anything better to do."
"I suppose that you're full of news?"
He thought he detected in her voice a note of apprehension.
"Yes," he answered.