Why had he suggested a dinner party?
A few friends.

Anyone in Boyce's position knew what that meant.

It meant about thirty gawking, gaping people for whom he didn't care a hang.

Why hadn't Anthony asked the Boyces to dine quietly with Edith and himself--with me thrown in, for instance, if they wanted exotic assistance?
Let me try, I said, to fix matters up.
So the next day I called on Boyce and told him, with such tact as I have at command, of Sir Anthony's wounded feelings.
"My dear Meredyth," said he.

"I can only say to you what I tried to explain to the irascible little man.