Part 8 (1/2)

PODB. But that cousin of hers--Charley, you know--how about _him_?

CULCH. I put that to her, and there is nothing in it. In fact, she practically admitted--(_He glances round and lowers his voice._) I will tell you another time. That lady over there is looking at us, and I'm almost certain----

PODB. What if she is, she don't understand a word we're saying. I want to hear all about Her, you know.

CULCH. My dear Podbury, we shall have ample time to talk about her while we are at Nuremberg together--it will be the greatest pleasure to me to do so as long as you please.

PODB. Thanks, old chap! I'd no idea you were doing all this, you know.

But just tell me this, what did she _say_ about me?

CULCH. (_mystified_). About you? I really don't recollect that she mentioned _you_ particularly.

PODB. (_puzzled_). But I thought you said you'd been speaking up for me!

What _did_ you talk about then?

CULCH. Well, about myself--naturally.

[_He settles his collar with a vague satisfaction._

PODB. (_blankly_). Oh! Then you haven't been arranging to meet her again on _my_ account?

CULCH. Good Heavens, no--what a very grotesque idea of yours, my dear fellow! [_He laughs gently._

PODB. Is it? You always gave out that she wasn't your style at all, and you only regarded her as a ”study,” and rot like that. How could _I_ tell you would go and cut me out?

CULCH. I don't deny that she occasionally--er--jarred. She is a little deficient in surface refinement--but that will come, that will come. And as to ”cutting you out,” why, you must allow you never had the remotest----

PODB. I don't allow anything of the sort. She liked me well enough till--till you came in and set her against me, and you may think it friendly if you like, but I call it shabby--confoundedly shabby.

CULCH. Don't talk so loud, I'm sure I saw that woman smile!

PODB. She may smile her head off for all I care. (_The train stops;_ _the Cripple and all but the_ Pale-haired Lady _get out._) Here we are at Nuremberg. What hotel did you say you are going to?

CULCH. The Bayrischer-Hof. Why?

[_He gets his coat and stick, &c., out of the rack._

PODB. Because I shall go to some other, that's all.

CULCH. (_in dismay_). My dear Podbury, this is really too childis.h.!.+

There's no sense in travelling together, if we're going to stay at different hotels!

PODB. I'm not sure I shall go any further. Anyway, while I _am_ here, I prefer to keep to myself.

CULCH. (_with a displeased laugh_). Just as you please. It's a matter of perfect indifference to _me_. I'm afraid you'll be terribly bored by yourself, though.

PODB. That's _my_ look out. It can't be worse than going about with you and listening while you crow and drivel about _her_, that's one comfort!