Chapter 17

           Michaelflatteredhimselfonhissenseofhumour.OntheSundayeveningthatfollowedhisconversationwithDollyhestrolledintoJulia’sroomwhileshewasdressing.Theyweregoingtothepicturesafteranearlydinner.

           "Who’scomingtonightbesidesCharles?"heaskedher.

           "Icouldn’tfindanotherwoman.I’veaskedTom."

           "Good!Iwantedtoseehim."

           Hechuckledatthethoughtofthejokehehaduphissleeve.Juliawaslookingforwardtotheevening.AtthecinemashewouldarrangetheseatingsothatTomsatnexttoherandhewouldholdherhandwhileshechattedinundertonestoCharlesontheothersideofher.DearCharles,itwasniceofhimtohavelovedhersolongandsodevotedly;shewouldgooutofherwaytobeverysweettohim.CharlesandTomarrivedtogether.TomwaswearinghisnewdinnerjacketforthefirsttimeandheandJuliaexchangedalittleprivateglance,ofsatisfactiononhispartandofcomplimentonhers.

           "Well,youngfeller,"saidMichaelheartily,rubbinghishands,"doyouknowwhatIhearaboutyou?Ihearthatyou’recompromisingmywife."

           Tomgavehimastartledlookandwentscarlet.Thehabitofflushingmortifiedhimhorribly,buthecouldnotbreakhimselfofit.

           "Ohmydear,"criedJuliagaily,"howmarvellous!I’vebeentryingtogetsomeonetocompromisemeallmylife.Whotoldyou,Michael?"

           "Alittlebird,"hesaidarchly.

           "Well,Tom,ifMichaeldivorcesmeyou’llhavetomarryme,youknow."

           Charlessmiledwithhisgentle,rathermelancholyeyes.

           "Whathaveyoubeendoing,Tom?"heasked.