then there are always so many other things to go to in May and June and July. Dinners should be stopped by Act of Parliament for those three months. I don't care what people do afterwards, because we always fly away on the first of August."
"That is good-natured on your part."
"I'm sure what I say would be for the good of society;—but at this time of the year a dinner is warm and comfortable."
"Very comfortable, I think."
"And people get to know each other;"—in saying which Miss Demolines looked very pleasantly up into Johnny's face.
"There is a great deal in that," said he. "I wonder whether you and I will get to know each other?"
"Of course we shall;—that is, if I'm worth knowing."
"There can be no doubt about that, I should say."
"Time alone can tell. But, Mr. Eames, I see that Mr. Crosbie is a friend of yours."
"Hardly a friend."
"I know very well that men are friends when they step up and shake hands with each other. It is the same as when women kiss."
"When I see women kiss, I always think that there is deep hatred at the bottom of it."
"And there may be deep hatred between you and Mr. Crosbie for anything I know to the contrary," said Miss Demolines.
"The very deepest," said Johnny, pretending to look grave.
"Ah; then I know he is your bosom friend, and that you will tell him anything I say. What a strange history that was of his marriage!"
"So I have heard;—but he is not quite bosom friend enough with me to have told me all the particulars. I know that his wife is dead."
"Dead; oh, yes; she has been dead these two years I should say."
"Not so long as that, I should think."
"Well,—perhaps not. But it's ever so long ago;—quite long enough for him to be married again. Did you know her?"
"I never saw her in my life."
"I knew her,—not well indeed; but I am intimate with her sister, Lady Amelia Gazebee, and I have met her there. None of that family have married what you may call well. And now, Mr. Eames, pray look at the menu and tell me what I am to eat. Arrange for me a little dinner of my own, out of the great bill of fare provided. I always expect some gentleman to do that for me. Mr. Crosbie, you know, only lived with his wife for one month."
"So I've been told."
