Part 51 (1/2)
”Yes,” he said, and ripped open the envelope of a fresh aspirant.
I was silent while he read.
”You're going away with Isabel Rivers,” he said abruptly.
”Well!” I said, amazed.
”I know,” he said, and lost his breath. ”Not my business. Only--”
It was queer to find Britten afraid to say a thing.
”It's not playing the game,” he said.
”What do you know?”
”Everything that matters.”
”Some games,” I said, ”are too hard to play.”
There came a pause between us.
”I didn't know you were watching all this,” I said.
”Yes,” he answered, after a pause, ”I've watched.”
”Sorry--sorry you don't approve.”
”It means smas.h.i.+ng such an infernal lot of things, Remington.”
I did not answer.
”You're going away then?”
”Yes.”
”Soon?”
”Right away.”
”There's your wife.”
”I know.”
”Shoesmith--whom you're pledged to in a manner. You've just picked him out and made him conspicuous. Every one will know. Oh! of course--it's nothing to you. Honour--”
”I know.”
”Common decency.”
I nodded.