So, to keep up my reputation, I must tell the truth about Gordon.

He simply said he would n't come--voila! He gave no reason and he did n't send you any pretty message.

He simply declined, and he went out somewhere else.

So you see he is n't writing letters.

I don't know where he can have gone; perhaps he has gone to the theatre.
I know it is n't proper to go to the theatre on Sunday evening; but they say charity begins at home, and as Gordon's does n't begin at home, perhaps it does n't begin anywhere.