If I accepted one invitation, I should have to accept all invitations or give terrible offence all over the place.

I'm here a sick man and my mother's an invalid.

And I merely want to be saved from my friends and have a quiet time with the old lady.

Of course if Sir Anthony is offended, I'm only too sorry, and I beg you to assure him that I never intended the slightest discourtesy.
The mere idea of it distresses me." The explanation was reasonable, the apology frank.

Sir Anthony received them both grumpily.