I dare say I’ve wronged the fellow.⁠ ⁠… I’ll read him again.⁠ ⁠… You poets are certainly an odd mixture.” And that was the thought of all those who had heard the singing and listened to the talk.

Stephen turned from him with a curious smile and saw suddenly the reproachful figure of his wife.

He said, “Come along, my dear⁠—I’m so sorry! Are you coming, John?”

Egerton looked across at Muriel Tarrant and her mother. They were entangled with Mrs. Ambrose and showed no signs of escaping. He said, “No⁠—I shall stay a little, I think.”

In the hot darkness of The Chase Stephen took his wife’s arm, and knew at once that she was cross. They walked in silence to The House by the River and in silence entered the poky little hall. Stephen cursed himself; it was a stupid end to a jolly evening. In the hall he kissed her and said that he was sorry, and she sighed and smiled, and kissed him and went upstairs.