How easy it was to tinker other people's love-affairs for
them--for oneself the difficulties were somehow a little harder to manage,
he thought. And then he began considering how long it would take from
Southampton to New York in the two-seater and just where Ted would most
likely be.
XXXIV
A long-distance telephone conversation about six o'clock in the afternoon
between two voices usually so even and composed that the little pulse
of excitement beating through both as they speak now seems perilous,
unnatural. One is Mr. Severance's thin cool speech and the other--most
curious, that--seems by every obsequious without being servile, trained
and impassive turn and phrase to be that of that treasure among household
treasures, Elizabeth.
"My instructions were that I was to call you, sir, whenever I was next
given an evening out."
"Yes, Elizabeth. Well?"
"I have been given an evening out tonight, sir."
"Yes."
"Mrs. Severance has told me that I am on no account to return till tomorrow
morning, sir."
"Yes. Go on."
"There are the materials of a small but quite sufficient meal for two
persons in the refrigerator, sir.
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