And, oh, I realize most
perfectly--and please don't misunderstand me!--that we're all of us
thieves together so to speak and only getting along on each other's
sufferance. But then, if one of us ever starts telling, even a little, he
or she can hardly do so in any way that will redound to anything but his
or her discredit and social obliteration--how nicely I've put that!--so I
don't think any of us will be very anxious to tell.
"_Good_-by, Mr. Billett--and when you do marry, please send me an
invitation--oh I shan't come, I've been far too well brought-up--but I must
send--appreciations--and so must have the address. We have had a pleasant
acquaintanceship together, haven't we?--perhaps a little more pleasant on
my side than on yours--but even so it's _so_ nice to think that nothing has
ever happened that either of us could really regret.
"Just remember that the only person I could incriminate you to would be
Mr. Piper, and not even there very much, due to Sargent's melodramatic
appearance in the middle of dinner. But I shan't even there--it would mean
incriminating myself a little too much too, don't you know? and even if the
apartment here does get a trifle lonely one evening and another, I have got
to be extraordinarily fond of it and I couldn't have nearly as nice a one
--or as competent an Elizabeth--on what they pay me on 'Mode.
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