Earwaker examined him with a smile of pleasure.
'It's unfortunate,' he said, 'that I have to go out to dinner.' 'Dinner! Pooh! we can get dinner anywhere.' 'No doubt, but I am engaged.' 'The devil you are! Who is she?
Why didn't you write to tell me ?' 'The word has a less specific meaning, my dear fellow,' replied Earwaker, laughing.

'Only you of all men would have rushed at the wrong one.

I mean to say--if your excitement can take in so common a fact--that I have promised to dine with some people at Notting Hill, and mustn't disappoint them.' Malkin laughed at his mistake, then shouted: 'Notting Hill! Isn't that somewhere near Fulham?
We'll take a cab, and I can drop you on my way.' 'It wouldn't be on the way at all.' The journalist's quiet explanation was cut short by a petulant outcry.
'Oh, very well! Of course if you want to get rid of me! I should have thought after sixteen months'-- 'Don't be idiotic,' broke in the other.

'There's a strong feminine element in you, Malkin; that's exactly the kind of talk with which women drive men to frenzy.' 'Feminine element!' shouted the traveller with hot face.

'What do you mean?
I propose to take a cab with you, and you'-- Earwaker turned away laughing.