know. But just tell me this, what did she _say_ about me?

_Culch._ (_mystified_). About you? I really don't recollect that she
mentioned _you_ particularly.

_Podb._ (_puzzled_). But I thought you said you'd been speaking up for
me! What _did_ you talk about then?

_Culch._ Well, about myself--naturally. [_He settles his collar with a
vague satisfaction._

_Podb._ (_blankly_). Oh! Then you haven't been arranging to meet her
again on _my_ account?

_Culch._ Good Heavens, no--what a very grotesque idea of yours, my
dear fellow! [_He laughs gently._

_Podb._ Is it? You always gave out that she wasn't your style at all,
and you only regarded her as a "study," and rot like that. How could
_I_ tell you would go and cut me out?

_Culch._ I don't deny that she occasionally--er--jarred. She is a
little deficient in surface refinement--but that will come, that will
come. And as to "cutting you out," why, you must allow you never had
the remotest--

_Podb._ I don't allow anything of the sort. She liked me well enough
till--till you came in and set her against me, and you may think it
friendly if you like, but I call it shabby--confoundedly shabby.