'Getting on well. I believe he's been ordered out of town.'
'To the seaside? For God's sake don't let him go to the east coast!'
'The east coast is quite as safe as any other part of England, _I_
think.' said Madame Frabelle.
'Oh, he'll take his chance,' Edith replied.
'I expect he'll miss _you_, my dear,' said Bruce. 'You've been so jolly
good to him lately.'
'Naturally,' said Madame Frabelle, a little quickly, very smoothly, and
with what Edith thought unnecessary tact. 'Naturally. Anyone so
kind-hearted as Edith would be sure to try and cheer up the convalescence
of a wounded friend. Have a _foie-gras_ sandwich, Edith?'
Edith felt an almost irresistible desire to laugh at something in the
hospitable, almost patronising tone of her guest.
'Oh, Edith likes going to see him,' said Bruce to Madame Frabelle. 'So
do I, if it comes to that. We're all fond of old Aylmer, you know.'
'I know. I quite understand. You're great friends. Personally, I think
Mr Ross has behaved splendidly.' Madame Frabelle said this with an air
of self-control and scrupulous justice.
'You don't care very much about him, I fancy,' said Bruce with the air
of having made a subtle discovery.
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