"Not exclusively. I don't want any fellow to make himself a slave for me. Are you going to the Dorlans to-night?"
"No, sir."
"Why?"—testily.
"Well, I don't know any one, sir, and it did not seem to me that I should be missed. It was very kind of Mr. Dorlan to ask me, but I did not think that he expected me to accept. He only did it because he thought you would like it."
"Then you acknowledge that you have not as much consideration for my feelings as he has."
"I don't see how you make that, sir."
"He, you say, invited you because I wanted him to, and you won't go, knowing that I am very anxious that you should!"
"I did not know that, sir!"
"Well, you know it now. Are you going?"
"Not if you will excuse me."