"But I'm all right" he protested.
"You sit there and say that to my face after what you've just asked about me; no I don't want to worry you but you're seriously ill Philip or it would be better for you if you were! Perhaps though in spite of everything you're just insane."
He sat apparently unmoved.
"I'm sorry, I do apologize" he said.
"You'll forgive me but your whole generation's hopeless, I must say it so there!" Mrs Weatherby pronounced, still in the low tones she had used all along to voice her indignation. "You're prudes, there's this and that can't be discussed before you and then you come out with some disgusting nonsense of which you should be thoroughly ashamed. I'm in despair that's all, I'm simply in despair!"
"I had to know" he said.
"That's quite enough" she cried. "Now be off at once and have your bath or I shall be quite cross. No do go Philip or you'll catch your death."
He went. She settled back like a great peacock after a dust bath, sighing.
WHEN Miss Pomfret got back to London she rang Arthur Morris to ask if it would be convenient to call. She arranged to have tea with him at the nursing home.
"This is really nice of you Mary" he said as she came in. "Just what your mother would have done. Julia was the kindest woman in the world."
Miss Pomfret seemed at her brightest.
"Was she? Did you know her well?" she asked, making the question into flattery.
"You see we were all in the one set, went about together, stayed great pats most of the time."
"Most of the time?" she echoed with an artless expression.
"Well it must be so with your generation" Mr Morris answered. "We had our ups and downs. People fall out, then come together again. Don't you find that?"
"Me? Oh I haven't any friends."
"Haven't any friends, a pretty girl like you. Or is there something wrong?"
"Wrong with me!" she cried.
"So you see you've got hundreds of 'em" he concluded.
"I haven't, honestly. I don't think we meet the number. of different people you used to."
"It may not be quite the same for girts of course but boys still go to Eton don't they?"
"I suppose" she said. "Did Mummy know many?"
"Etonians?"
"Don't be idiotic" she demanded smiling. "No, people of course."
"Yes" he said "a beautiful woman like that would have, wouldn't she?"
"And Mrs Weatherby and she got married at the same time?"
"They did" he replied.
"D'you think Philip and I look like each other?" she asked.
"No I don't."
"Who were her other friends?"
"Your mother? Well everyone of our lot. You've seen 'em about again and again whenever your father invites them in."
"He's to give another party now" she announced.
"Don't tell me that just when I'm stuck here like this!"
"But you'll be out soon?"
"Oh I expect so. When is it?"
"This is funny" she said. "You know how cautious Daddy can be. It seems Mrs Weatherby's planning one and he wants to see how hers goes before he commits himself."
"I don't know why he need" Mr Morris objected. He hitched himself back against the pillows as though the cradle under bedclothes over his leg were sucking his whole body towards the foot. "They'll be the same old crowd in the end" he added.
"And was that the case when Mummy was alive?"
"How d'you mean?"
"Well anyway who were her particular friends?"
"We've all kept together, those who're still alive of course. You've met every single one Mary."
"Then why ask them to Philip's twenty-firster?"
"Is that what Jane's doing?"
"It's what she will do" the girl replied. "Oh I've no call to say a word even. But don't you think it rather dim for Philip?"
"I don't know" he said. "Nothing's happened yet surely?"
"How d'you mean?"
"I'm still without an invitation and she would be bound to ask me."
"Yet you're in bed aren't you? Oh I am so sorry, how horribly rude. I am beastly."
"You aren't" he said. "But of course she'd send an invite even if t couldn't come. We've all stuck together always."
"It's not for me to say but don't you think at his twentyfirster Philip ought to see more people of his own age?"
"Of course I don't know who is actually to be invited" he replied. "Do you mean John's going to ask only his old cronies to your party?"
"Oh I've got no one, I don't meet a soul" she answered. "You knew Mummy. What would she have done?"
"The same as Jane I imagine."
"She would have invited her."
"Yes" Mr Morris said doubtfuIly. "Oh yes, at one time."
"You see I was told Daddy and Mrs Weatherby had had a terrific affair once."
Mr Morris seemed uncomfortable.
"Well I don't know about that" he said. "We had our ups and downs. One can't be sure of anything. But what would be wrong if they had?" he asked.
"Oh nothing" she agreed too hastily. "Nothing in the least. Surely I can be curious when I never knew Mummy" she pouted "don't remember her at all."
"Yes it certainly can't be easy for you" he said.
"I've not known anything else and that's easy" she objected.
Shortly afterwards she left, having learned no more from him.
Later, in time for a glass of sherry, Philip Weatherby sent his name up and was welcomed by Mr Morris.
"Mary's just been" the older man said.
"I'm back from Brighton as a matter of fact and everyone seems to be asking me if I've come from Mary. I can't understand it."
"You must be thinking of her all the time" Mr Morris replied.
"How's that?"
"Did you never notice, Philip? You see someone in the street you haven't met for years and the next fortnight you come across them again and again for a bit. You'd better look out, you're falling in love."
"What's the connection?"
"Forget it I was only joking. There's none of course. Your mother's to give a party I hear."
"Yes she is."
"Your twenty-firster?"
"No, just a small thing for her friends. I don't see much point in twenty-firsters do you? Or bachelor dinner parties before you're married. All that tripe is out of date!"
"Oh I don't know Philip. How about silver weddings?"
"They're different" the young man announced.
"They're family. There can be some point in those. But I wanted to ask something. D'you think Mr Pomfret's in love with my mother or her with him?"
"Is she feeding him?"
"What on earth are you getting at?"
"Does she ask him continually to meals. Not drinks, meals."
"Well yes he does come pretty often."
"It's an infallible sign with women Philip. Do you mind?"
"Me? Why should I? It's none of my business. But look here this is strictly private. Was he very much in love with Mamma once?"
"My dear chap I've no way of knowing."
"He was supposed to be wasn't he? Didn't you tell me that?"
"That's not evidence" Mr Morris objected.
"I mean did he ever actually have a child by her?"
Arthur Morris gave the young man a long look before he replied. "Where is it now if he did?"
"How should I know?"
"Then all you've got is the evidence of your own senses Philip. I wouldn't worry if I were you."
There was no resemblance physical or otherwise between Mr Weatherby and Mary when shortly after, without another word on this subject, Philip made his excuses and left with ill grace.
LATER that week Philip Weatherby and Mary Pomfret were sitting in the downstairs lounge of the same respectable public house off Knightsbridge.
"They all ought to be liquidated" he said obviously in disgust.
"Who Philip?"
"Every one of our parents' generation."