General Wyatt.—"Why in the world should it worry you, Margaret?"
Mrs. Wyatt.—"You can't offer him any compensation for his instructions."
General Wyatt.—"Of course not. That would be offensive. Well?"
Mrs. Wyatt.—"Well, James, can't you see how it complicates everything? He is conferring another obligation. He might almost think we tried to throw them together."
General Wyatt, fiercely.—"He had better not! Why, Margaret, he's a gentleman! He can't think that."
Mrs. Wyatt.—"No, I suppose not. I suppose it's our trouble that has made me suspicious of every one." She goes sadly about the room, rearranging, with a house-keeper's instinct, everything in it.
General Wyatt.—"You needn't trouble yourself with the room, Margaret; Mary told me that she and the landlady had put it in order."
Mrs. Wyatt.—"That's just why I need." After a moment: "Are you going to be here, James?"
General Wyatt.—"Yes, I thought I should stay. It's a cheerful place to read and smoke. It won't disturb them, will it?"
Mrs. Wyatt.—"Oh, no! It's quite necessary some one should stay. I'm very glad you can, for I've got a few little things to do."