"I never told her the story. I made known the general grounds of my dissatisfaction with you, that was all."
"Come, that's something. I'm glad you didn't amuse her with that unedifying bit of fiction."
"Fiction?"
"Yes, fiction," said Everard bluntly. "I am not going into details; the thing's over and done with, and I chose my course at the time. But it's as well to let you know that my behaviour was grossly misrepresented. In using me to point a moral, you were grievously astray. I shall say no more. If you can believe me, do; if you can't, dismiss the matter from your mind."
There followed a silence of some moments. Then, with a perfectly calm manner, Miss Barfoot began to speak of a new subject. Everard followed her lead. He did not stay much longer, and, on leaving, asked to be remembered to Miss Nunn.
