"To see it, of course. What else should I ask her for?"

"Oh, Heaven only knows! Why ask her at all? I should certainly upset
her into the canal from sheer irritation if she came with me."

"Such nonsense." He knit his forehead into a decided frown. "You are
so unfair to Doris. You used to complain that I was unfair to
Lorraine. I was never as unfair as you are now. You don't really know
Doris at all; and she has never done anything to hurt you."

"It doesn't follow that she wouldn't if she had the chance. You're so
awfully dense about women, Dudley. Why didn't you invite Ethel
instead? She is worth a hundred Dorises. Then we could have taken her
to the theatre."

His voice and manner grew very cold.

"I don't agree with you, but it is not a subject I care to discuss. Is
there any reason why Doris should not be invited to the theatre?"

"None whatever, except that I don't propose to ask her."

They faced each other a moment almost angrily, except that whereas
Dudley was distinctly vexed, Hal was a little scornful, and
half-laughing.

"Then I cannot come either, and" - he paused a moment, to add with
decision - "I object to your going unchaperoned."