What sort of expression?'
'I don't know that I can explain.
You looked older suddenly, deceitful.
It was rather unpleasant.'
'I did not mean to.'
'No, I don't suppose you did.'
I drank some water, watching him over the rim of my glass.
'Don't you want me to look older?' I said.
'No:
'Why not?'
'Because it would not suit you.'
'One day I shall.
It can't be helped.
I shall have grey hair, and lines and things.'
'I don't mind that.'
'What do you mind then?'
'I don't want you to look like you did just now.
You had a twist to your mouth and a flash of knowledge in your eyes.
Not the right sort of knowledge.'
I felt very curious, rather excited.
'What do you mean, Maxim?
What isn't the right sort of knowledge?'
He did not answer for a moment.
Frith had come back into the room and was changing the plates.
Maxim waited until Frith had gone behind the screen and through the service door before speaking again.
'When I met you first you had a certain expression on your face,' he said slowly, 'and you have it still.
I'm not going to define it, I don't know how to.
But it was one of the reasons why I married you.
A moment ago, when you were going through that curious little performance, the expression had gone.
Something else had taken its place.'
'What sort of thing?
Explain to me, Maxim,' I said eagerly.
He considered me a moment, his eyebrows raised, whistling softly.
'Listen, my sweet.
When you were a little girl, were you ever forbidden to read certain books, and did your father put those books under lock and key?'
'Yes,' I said.
'Well, then.
A husband is not so very different from a father after all.
There is a certain type of knowledge I prefer you not to have.
It's better kept under lock and key.
So that's that.
And now eat up your peaches, and don't ask me any more questions, or I shall put you in the corner.'
'I wish you would not treat me as if I was six,' I said.
'How do you want to be treated?'
'Like other men treat their wives.'
'Knock you about, you mean?'
'Don't be absurd.
Why must you make a joke of everything?'
'I'm not joking.
I'm very serious.'