It had struck her more than once, immersed in self-centred cogitations as she was, that Althea was altogether too much relegated.
'I wish you and Frances would not go on as you do, Gerald,' she said.
'It disturbs Althea, I am sure.

She is not used to seeing people behaving like that.' 'Behaving ?' asked the innocent Gerald.

'How have I been behaving ?' 'Very foolishly.

You have been flirting, and rather flagrantly, with Frances, ever since you came.' 'But, my dear, you know perfectly well that one can't talk to Frances without flirting with her.

All conversation becomes flirtation.