'Do say it.'

'That I never wish to hear Hyacinth Verney's name mentioned again. You
are never to speak of her to me. Do you hear?'

'Yes, Bruce.'

'It is such a disillusion. I'm so shocked, so horrified, finding her a
snake in the grass.'

'Oh, I'm sure she didn't look a bit like a snake, Bruce. She wore that
lovely grey dress and a hat with roses.'

'How do you know? Did _Archie_ tell you? No; you lowered yourself to
question Nurse. A nice opinion Nurse must have of your friends now! No;
_that's_ over. I won't blame _you_, dear, but I must never hear anything
more about Hyacinth.'

Edith sat down and took up a book.

'Why is there no coffee?' asked Bruce rather loudly.

'Oh, you said I wasn't to ring.'

She rang.

While the parlourmaid was bringing in the coffee, Bruce said in a high,
condescending voice--