Maude sat down again.
"Why did you not send us word you were coming ?" she asked.
"There was no necessity for it.

And I only made my mind up this morning." "What a long time you have been away! I thought you went for a week." "I did not get my business over very quickly; and waited afterwards to see Thomas Carr, who was out of town.

The Ashtons were away, you know; so I had no inducement to hurry back again." "Very complimentary to _her_.

Who's Thomas Carr ?" asked Maude.
"A barrister; the greatest friend I possess in this world.

We were at college together, and he used to keep me straight." "Keep you straight! Val!" "It's quite true.