No More Learning

Blayne. Supposing things are as you say, he'll be a fool to face her.
He'll sit tight at Simla.

Anthony. Shouldn't be a bit surprised if he went off to Naini to
explain. He's an unaccountable sort of man, and she's likely to be a
more than unaccountable woman.

Doone. What makes you take her character away so confidently?

Anthony. Primum tempus. Caddy was her first and a woman doesn't allow
her first man to drop away without expostulation. She justifies the
first transfer of affection to herself by swearing that it is forever
and ever. Consequently--

Blayne. Consequently, we are sitting here till past one o'clock, talking
scandal like a set of Station cats. Anthony, it's all your fault.
We
were perfectly respectable till you came in. Go to bed. I'm off, Good
night all.

Curtiss. Past one! It's past two by Jove, and here's the khit coming for
the late charge. Just Heavens! One, two, three, four, five rupees to
pay for the pleasure of saying that a poor little beast of a woman is
no better than she should be. I'm ashamed of myself. Go to bed, you
slanderous villains, and if I'm sent to Beora tomorrow, be prepared to
hear I'm dead before paying my card account!




THE TENTS OF KEDAR

Only why should it be with pain at all?
Why must I 'twixt the leaves of coronal
Put any kiss of pardon on thy brow?
Why should the other women know so much,
And talk together--
Such the look and such
The smile he used to love with, then as now.

--Any Wife to any Husband.

SCENE. A Naini Tal dinner for thirty-four.