“I must be going,” said Mrs. Eggelby, in a tone which had been thoroughly sterilised of even perfunctory regret.

Clovis rose with an air of graceful reluctance.

“I have so enjoyed our little talk about Eric,” he said; “I quite look forward to meeting him some day.”

“Goodbye,” said Mrs. Eggelby frostily; the supplementary remark which she made at the back of her throat was⁠—

“I’ll take care that you never shall!”