“Eh?” 

 “I should be greatly obliged if you would keep these confidences for the ear of your medical adviser.” 

 “Freddie,” intervened Derek hastily, “my mother’s rather tired. Do you think you could be going ahead and getting a taxi?” 

 “My dear old chap, of course! Get you one in a second. Come along, Algy. Pick up the old waukeesis, Ronny.” 

 And Freddie, accompanied by his henchmen, ambled off, well pleased with himself. He had, he felt, helped to break the ice for Derek and had seen him safely through those awkward opening stages. Now he could totter off with a light heart and get a bite of lunch. 

 Lady Underhill’s eyes glittered. They were small, keen, black eyes, unlike Derek’s, which were large and brown. In their other features the two were obviously mother and son. Each had the same long upper lip, the same thin, firm mouth, the prominent chin which was a family characteristic of the Underhills, and the jutting Underhill nose. Most of the Underhills came into the world looking as though they meant to drive their way through life like a wedge. 

 “A little more,” she said tensely, “and I should have struck those unspeakable young men with my umbrella. One of the things I have never been able to understand, Derek, is why you should have selected that imbecile Rooke as your closest friend.” 

 Derek smiled tolerantly. 

 “It was more a case of him selecting me. But Freddie is quite a good fellow really. He’s a man you’ve got to know.” 

 “I have not got to know him, and I thank heaven for it!” 

 “He’s a very good-natured fellow. It was decent of him to put me up at the Albany while our house was let. By the way, he has some seats for the first night of a new piece this evening. He suggested that we might all dine at the Albany and go on to the theatre.” He hesitated a moment. “Jill will be there,” he said, and felt easier now that her name had at last come into the talk. “She’s longing to meet you.” 

 “Then why didn’t she meet me?” 

 “Here, do you mean? At the station? Well, I—I wanted you to see her for the first time in pleasanter surroundings.” 

 “Oh!” said Lady Underhill shortly. 

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