the slightest notice of anything you say? I hope he boxed your ears. How dare you say no?”

“Oh, do keep quiet, mother! I had to say no when I couldn't say yes. I tried to laugh as if I didn't mean what I said, and, as Cecil laughed too, and went away, it may be all right. But I feel my foot's in it. Oh, do keep quiet, though, and let a man do some work.”

“No,” said Mrs. Honeychurch, with the air of one who has considered the subject, “I shall not keep quiet. You know all that has passed between them in Rome; you know why he is down here, and yet you deliberately insult him, and try to turn him out of my house.”

“Not a bit!” he pleaded. “I only let out I didn't like him. I don't hate him, but I don't like him. What I mind is that he'll tell Lucy.”