You wouldn't imagine that I had just finished a rather trying interview ?" "No; you look more amused than upset." "There was something humorous in the situation; that's often the case when you see greedy people wasting effort and ingenuity.

Perhaps you heard my visitors expressing their anxiety about my health, though I've a suspicion that they felt more like wishing the car had made an end of me." The nurse laughed and told him that he had better rest; and Herbert lay back upon the cushions she arranged, with calm content.
During the evening, Sylvia entered the room, dressed a little more carefully than usual, and Herbert glanced at her with appreciation.
"You look charming, though that's your normal state," he said.

"Where are you going ?" "With Muriel, to dine with the Wests; have you forgotten?
But I came in because Muriel told me you had a letter from George by the last post." "So you're still interested in his doings," Herbert rejoined.
"Of course.

Does that surprise you ?" "I was beginning to think there was some risk of your forgetting him, which, perhaps, wouldn't be altogether unnatural.

He's a long way off, which has often its effect, and there's no denying the fact that in many respects you and he are different." "Doesn't the same thing apply to you and Muriel?
Everybody knows you get on excellently in spite of it." Herbert laughed.