"At home too he lets things go," Grace interposed. "He does so
little--takes no trouble." Her mother suffered this statement to pass
unchallenged, and she pursued philosophically: "I suppose it's because
he knows he's so clever."
"So he is, dear old man. But what does he do, what has he been doing, in
a positive way?"
"He has been painting."
"Ah not seriously!" Lady Agnes protested.
"That's the worst way," said Peter Sherringham. "Good things?"
Neither of the ladies made a direct response to this, but Lady Agnes
said: "He has spoken repeatedly. They're always calling on him."
"He speaks magnificently," Grace attested.
"That's another of the things I lose, living in far countries. And he's
doing the Salon now with the great Biddy?"
"Just the things in this part. I can't think what keeps them so long,"
Lady Agnes groaned. "Did you ever see such a dreadful place?"