Joanna Southwood said, "And suppose he's a terrible tough?"
Linnet shook her head.
"Oh, he won't be.
I can trust Jacqueline's taste."
Joanna murmured,
"Ah, but people don't run true to form in love affairs."
Linnet shook her head impatiently. Then she changed the subject.
"I must go and see Mr Pierce about those plans!"
"Plans?"
"Yes, some dreadful insanitary old cottages.
I'm having them pulled down and the people moved."
"How sanitary and public-spirited of you, darling!"
"They'd have had to go anyway.
Those cottages would have overlooked my new swimming pool."
"Do the people who lived in them like going?"
"Most of them are delighted.
One or two are being rather stupid about it - really tiresome in fact.
They don't seem to realize how vastly improved their living conditions will be!"
"But you're being quite high-handed about it, I presume."
"My dear Joanna, it's to their advantage really."
"Yes, dear, I'm sure it is.
Compulsory benefit."
Linnet frowned.
Joanna laughed.
"Come now, you are a tyrant, admit it.
A beneficent tyrant if you like!"
"I'm not the least bit a tyrant."
"But you like your own way!"
"Not especially."
"Linnet Ridgeway, can you look me in the face and tell me of any one occasion on which you've failed to do exactly as you wanted?"
"Heaps of times."
"Oh, yes, 'heaps of times' - just like that - but no concrete example.
And you simply can't think up one, darling, however hard you try!
The triumphal progress of Linnet Ridgeway in her golden car."
Linnet said sharply, "You think I'm selfish?"
"No - just irresistible.
The combined effect of money and charm.
Everything goes down before you.
What you can't buy with cash you buy with a smile.
Result: Linnet Ridgeway, the Girl Who Has Everything."
"Don't be ridiculous, Joanna!"
"Well, haven't you got everything?"
"I suppose I have... It sounds rather disgusting, somehow!"
"Of course it's disgusting, darling!
You'll probably get terribly bored and blase by and by.
In the meantime, enjoy the triumphal progress in the golden car.
Only I wonder, I really do wonder, what will happen when you want to go down a street which has a board up saying
'No Thoroughfare.'"
"Don't be idiotic, Joanna." As Lord Windlesham joined them, Linnet said, turning to him, "Joanna is saying the nastiest things to me."
"All spite, darling, all spite," said Joanna vaguely as she got up from her seat.