Mr. Bell spoke up for himself. "I don't want to hear family secrets," he
whispered, with an imploring glance at the vindictive Mr. Stokes. "It
wouldn't be right."

"Well, _I_ don't want to say things behind a man's back," said the
latter, recovering himself. "Let's wait till George comes in, and I'll
say 'em before his face."

Mrs. Henshaw, biting her lip with annoyance, argued with him, but in
vain. Mr. Stokes was firm, and, with a glance at the clock, said that
George would be in soon and he would wait till he came.

Conversation flagged despite the efforts of Mrs. Henshaw to draw Mr.
Bell out on the subject of Ireland. At an early stage of the catechism
he lost his voice entirely, and thereafter sat silent while Mrs. Henshaw
discussed the most intimate affairs of her husband's family with Mr.
Stokes. She was in the middle of an anecdote about her mother-in-law
when Mr. Bell rose and, with some difficulty, intimated his desire to
depart.

"What, without seeing George?" said Mrs. Henshaw. "He can't be long now,
and I should like to see you together."

"P'r'aps we shall meet him," said Mr. Stokes, who was getting rather
tired of the affair. "Good night."

He led the way to the door and, followed by the eager Mr. Bell, passed
out into the street. The knowledge that Mrs. Henshaw was watching him
from the door kept him silent until they had turned the corner, and
then, turning fiercely on Mr. Henshaw, he demanded to know what he meant