"Oh, I'm sure that's nonsense! Why can't you?
You're not on duty ?" "No," he said, speaking slowly, "I'm not on duty; but--fact is, I'm going up to the Hills shooting for a few days and--I shall be busy, packing guns and things.

Besides--" "Oh, do stop!" she broke in, with sudden impatience.

"I know you are only making up as you go along.

It's very horrid of you, besides being contemptible.

Why can't you say at once that you are not coming because you don't want to come ?" Her quick pride had taken fire at sound of his deliberate excuse; and, as was its wont upon provocation, her anger flamed high at a moment's notice.
Phil did not look at her.