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288 “Yes. I shall spend part of the day with him. Did you wish to send him a message?”

“It wouldn’t be fit for you to carry,” he answered, fiercely.

“Richard is not your favourite companion, is he?” she tantalized.

“He is not!”

“Sorry. I am very fond of him.”

“That does not need saying.”

“I have never tried to disguise it.”

“No, I should say you were both frank about it.”

“Why shouldn’t we be, Jarvis?” said Bambi with irritation.

“Exactly. Why shouldn’t you be?”

“You naturally cannot expect to regulate or choose my friends.”

“I expect nothing.”

“Then I would be obliged to you if you made your dislike of my friend a trifle less conspicuous.”

“If you will let me know when he is expected, I will always go elsewhere.”

It was the first hint of disagreement that had ever occurred between them, and Bambi took the train to New York with a disagreeable taste in her mouth. She was going for a conference with Strong about the