'Well, perhaps not, but in allowing this to pass--isn't it the thin end
of the wedge?'

'Give him a chance and see,' she said. 'Don't be in a hurry. After all,
he's your great friend. You're always talking to me about him; and
what's he done?--sent a few flowers and called here once. I'm sure he
thought you would like it.'

'But don't you see, Edith, the attention should have been paid to me,
not to you.'

'He could hardly send you flowers, Bruce. I'm sure he thought it was the
proper thing.'

Bruce walked up and down the room greatly agitated.

'I admit that this is a matter that requires consideration. I shouldn't
like to make a mountain out of a mole-hill. We'll see; we'll give him a
chance. But if he comes here again, or takes any step to persuade you to
have anything to do with his Society or whatever it is, I shall know
how to act.'

'Of course you will, dear.'

Edith hoped she wouldn't receive a large envelope full of papers about
the Legitimists by the first post.

'I hope you know, Bruce, _I_ shouldn't care if I never saw him again.'