‘By the way, what about that girl you saw last night, is she any good?’
‘I really think she is, you know.
She’s very pretty.
You’re sure to fall for her.’
‘Oh, my dear, at my time of life.
Can she act?’
‘She’s inexperienced of course, but I think she’s got it in her.’
‘Oh well, I’d better have her up and give her the once over.
How can I get hold of her?’
‘Tom’s got her address.’
‘I’ll phone him right away.’
He took off the receiver and dialled Tom’s number.
Tom was in and Michael wrote down the address on a pad.
The conversation went on.
‘Oh, my dear old chap, I’m sorry to hear that.
What rotten luck!’
‘What’s the matter?’ asked Julia.
He motioned her to be quiet.
‘Oh, well, I don’t want to be hard on you.
Don’t you worry.
I’m sure we can come to some arrangement that will be satisfactory to you.’
He put his hand over the receiver and turned to Julia.
‘Shall I ask him to dinner next Sunday?’
‘If you like.’
‘Julia says, will you come and dine on Sunday?
Oh, I’m sorry.
Well, so long, old man.’
He put down the receiver.
‘He’s got a date.
Is the young ruffian having an affair with this girl?’
‘He assures me not.
He respects her.
She’s a colonel’s daughter.’
‘Oh, she’s a lady.’
‘I don’t know that that follows,’ said Julia acidly.
‘What were you talking to him about?’
‘He says they’ve cut his salary.
Bad times.
He wants to give up the flat.’
Julia’s heart gave a sudden sickening beat.
‘I’ve told him not to worry.
I’ll let him stay there rent free till times improve.’
‘I don’t know why you should do that.
After all, it was a purely business arrangement.’
‘It seems rather tough luck on a young chap like that.
And you know he’s very useful to us; if we want an extra man we can always call upon him, and it’s convenient having him round the corner when I want someone to play golf with me.
It’s only twenty-five pounds a quarter.’
‘You’re the last person I should expect to see indulge in indiscriminate generosity.’
‘Oh, don’t you be afraid, if I lose on the swings I’ll get back on the roundabouts.’
The masseuse came in and put an end to the conversation.