In which somehow, he felt, Sir Bussy might still
survive,transfigured, perhaps, but surviving. His hands were deep in his pockets and
his head swayed dreamily. Hes always turning back the bedclothes and having a
goodlook for himself, but its never any good. Few men are worthyof this great trust,
but Mr.
Parham hadgone to his first lunch at Marmion
House.
It became intimate; it became suggestively
obscene.
Parham and his partner circled smiling about him
twice beforehe became aware of them.
We are too near theband for talking, he said. I
wouldnt object to havingquite a lot of them about in Carfex House. You have a word
of kindly praise or mild contempt forthe foolish multitude of writers. Parham
realized his pessimism had been premature. Were going to this tennis place with
Tremayne, the pretty girlsannounced together. Byzantine solemnity, he repeated after
Mr.
Im not going to lie down infront of it and worship.
Parham caught the eye of an old friend and did not answer hishosts last remark. Lets
go and look at some pictures, said Sir Bussy. He would give them a chance under that
plea. The lunch had none of the quiet orderliness of a West-End
lunchparty.
Anyhow, we might sit in a corner together andyou
tell me something about Women.
A young mistress is better than an old master, eh?