Page:The Plutocrat (1927).pdf/307

 are following. You could not be so absurd as to object to my consenting to that, could you?"

"Not at all," he returned gloomily. "I don't care who lunches with us at Yakouren—or any other place!" Then he was a little ashamed of himself; for even in his own ears what he had just said had the ring of sulking eighteen. "I mean it isn't your fault that you overwhelmingly fascinated that pompous old General at first sight. Whatever our ages, we succumb to you immediately: we can't help it and you can't help it! So far as I can make out, he intends to attach himself—from now on."

She laughed. "You are a funny young man, and he is a funny old one. I was polite to him. How can one be otherwise? But I shouldn't have given up my evening to play bridge with them, since you don't play. I thought it would amuse Hyacinthe; he had gone to his room to work again upon that tedious report, and so I"

Ogle interrupted her petulantly. "I wish you'd understand that I haven't the slightest objection"

But she, in turn, interrupted him. "What is it that you do object to? I came with you to be really your friend, and friends should make us happier." Then she spoke as if to herself. "What is it—what