"You're scandalous! You always were," she said, smiling. "The way you put things was always disreputable. Yes, it was, Frank. But no; it's not poor old John who's cut you out--or at least it's John in a particular capacity. Life's cut you out--John as life. John, as life, has cut you out of my life--and now I've got to live with John, you see." Caylesham screwed up his mouth ruefully. Things certainly seemed to shape that way. She had to live with John. John's conduct might be unreasonable and unjustifiable, but people who must be lived with frequently presume on that circumstance and behave as they would not venture to behave if living with them were optional. John really had not a leg to stand on, if it came to an argument. But arguing with people you have to live with does not conduce to the comfort of living with them--especially if you get the better of the argument. He was exceedingly sorry for Christine, but he didn't see any way out of it for her. "Of course there's a funny side to it," she said with a little laugh. "Oh, yes, there is," he admitted. "But it's deuced rough luck on you." "Everything's deuced rough luck." She mimicked his tone daintily. "And I don't suppose it's ever anything worse with you, Frank! It was deuced rough luck ever meeting you, you know. And so it was that John wanted money and sent me to you. And that Harriet's got a temper, and, I suppose, that we've got to be punished for our sins." She took her arm out of his--she had slipped it in again while she talked about John as life. "And here I am, just at home, and--and the corner's waiting for me, Frank." "I'm devilish sorry, Christine." "Yes, I'm sure you are. You always meant to be kind. Frank, if ever I do make friends with John, be glad, won't you?" "I think he's behaved like a----" "Hush, hush! You've always been prosperous--and you've never been good." She laughed and took his hand. "So don't say anything against poor old John." "I tell you what--you're a brick, Christine. Well, good-bye, my dear." "Good-bye, Frank. I'm glad I met you. I've got some of it out, haven't I? Don't worry--well, no, you won't--and if I succeed, do try to be glad. And never a word to show John that I've told you he knows!" "I shall do just as you like about that. Good-bye, Christine."