“I hate morality,” said Launa. “It means nothing. It is only a name. Maud is so fond of talking of it. Maud is very vulgar.”
Mrs. Carden pushed away her plate with impatience. She ate the pudding afterwards, for it was excellent. She was horrified.
Sir John helped himself to cream with deliberation. Mr. Wainbridge looked at Launa. Mrs. Phillips saw the look and interpreted it.
“My dear Miss Archer,” said Sir John, “the world is very hard; its rules are firm and not easily broken.”
“I do not agree with you,” said Mrs. Carden. “They are broken with impunity very easily.”
“Probably you do not agree with me,” said Sir John. “I haven’t tried to break any. I do not speak from experience.”
“The world does not mind its rules being broken,” said Mrs. Phillips. “It minds only when it discovers the hole and is obliged to notice it.”
“There are saints to whom the good people would not, could not speak,” said Sir John.
“Purity and morality are often mistaken,” said Launa, “by the world. It is unjust, and justice is cruelty.”
“It is law,” observed Mr. Wainbridge, with a sigh.
“Promises are interesting,” he continued, talking rapidly because he knew he had made a mistake. “A man should always keep a promise.”
“I would rather hear the truth,” said Launa, “even if it hurt. One moment’s pain would be better than days of regret.”
Mrs. Carden shook her head and waved her hands. Pantomime was her only resource.
“We are too sad; we are discussing such uninteresting subjects. No man ever breaks a promise to such charming ladies as there are here. Lily, tell us about your river adventures.”
“We went out in the boat every day—Lily rowed occasionally and I rowed frequently. We disagreed on various subjects every day, on the marriage question and on—on—”
“A preposition,” answered Mr. Herbert shortly.
“‘That’ is an adverb,” said Mrs. Carden. “Launa, I shall tell Maud that you called her—vulgar.”
“Women always tell,” said Mr. Herbert. “I told a woman something once and she told. She—”
“I am not a woman,” said Mrs. Carden, “who carries tales.”
“But you are going to tell someone what Miss Archer said of her,” observed Mr. Herbert. “Men don’t do that.”
“_I_ did not tell, Jack,” said Mrs. Phillips.
“Tell us now,” said Sir John. “If you get the credit of telling we may as well derive some amusement from the story. Miss Archer, what do men usually tell you.”