‘May I speak to Sir Damask about it?’ asked Miss Longestaffe, who was very urgent on the occasion.

’Well, my dear, I really don’t think you ought to do that.  There are little things which a man and his wife must manage together without interference.’

’Nobody can ever say that I interfered in any family.  But really, Julia, when you tell me that Sir Damask cannot receive Mr Brehgert, it does sound odd.  As for City people, you know as well as I do, that that kind of thing is all over now.  City people are just as good as West End people.’

’A great deal better, I dare say.  I’m not arguing about that.  I don’t make the lines; but there they are; and one gets to know...