But she thinks I should show my affection for
you more openly.'
Roger wriggles again. Earnestly, 'I wouldn't do that.' Nicely, 'Of
course for this once--but in a general way I wouldn't do that. _We_
know, you and I.'
'As long as we know, it's no one else's affair, is it?'
'That's the ticket, father.'
'Still--' It is to be feared that Mr. Torrance is now taking advantage
of his superior slyness. 'Still, before your mother--to please her--eh?'
Faltering, 'I suppose it would.'
'Well, what do you say?'
'I know she would like it.'
'Of course you and I know that display of that sort is all
bunkum--repellent even to our natures.'
'Lord, yes!'
'But to gratify her.'
'I should be so conscious.'
Mr. Torrance is here quite as sincere as his son. 'So should I.'
Roger considers it. 'How far would you go?'
'Oh, not far. Suppose I called you "Old Rogie"? There's not much in
that.'
'It all depends on the way one says these things.'
'I should be quite casual.'
'Hum. What would you like me to call you?'
Severely, 'It isn't what would _I_ like.
Pages:
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82