'That's a dark saying. Well, whatever I said I take it back, if you don't like it. Will that do?'
Bruce was mollified, but wouldn't show it at once.
'Ah,' he said, 'that's all very well. These sort of things are not so easily taken back. You should think before you speak. Prevention is better than cure.'
'Yes, and a stitch in time saves nine--though it doesn't rhyme. And it's no good crying over spilt milk, and two heads are better than one. But, really, Bruce, I didn't mean it.'
'Good heavens, I really don't know by now! I'm afraid I've utterly forgotten what we were talking about,' said Edith, looking at the door with some anxiety.
She was hoping that Madame Frabelle would soon come down and cause a diversion.
'Look here, Edith,' said Bruce, 'when an old friend, an old friend of yours and mine, and at one time a very intimate friend--next door to a brother--when such a friend as that has been wounded at the front, fighting for our country--and, mind you, he behaved with remarkable gallantry, for it wasn't really necessary for him to go, as he was beyond the age--well, when a friend does a thing like that, and comes back wounded, and writes, with his own hand, asking me to go and see him--well, I think it's the least I can do! I don't know what _you_ think. It seems to _me_ the right thing. If you disagree with me I'm very sorry. But, frankly, it appears to me that I ought to go.'
'Read the letter for yourself,' said Bruce, suddenly taking it out of his pocket and giving it to her. 'There, you see. "Dear Ottley," he says.'
Here Bruce went to her side of the table and leant over her, reading the letter aloud to her over her shoulder, while she was reading it to herself.
'"DEAR OTTLEY,--If you could look in tomorrow about half-past four, I should be very glad to see you. Yours sincerely, AYLMER ROSS." Fairly cordial, I think, isn't it? Or not? Perhaps you think it cold. Would you call it a formal letter?'
Bruce took the letter out of her hand and read it over again to himself.
'So I thought.' He put it away with a triumphant air.
Edith was thinking that the writing was growing stronger. Aylmer must be better.
'I say, I hope it isn't a sign he's not so well, that he wants to see me. I don't call it a good sign. He's depressed. He thinks I'll cheer him up.'