Marianne waived discussion of the dramatic aspect of the question. She knew nothing about these things--was an outsider. But she seemed to register concession on the main point. She supposed the young woman must come, and she could tell Charlotte and Maria Macculloch and Lewis Smithson to be sure not to call that day, and then Harmood could say "not at home." Better make it Thursday, and get it over. "Didn't Charlotte say anything else?" This was chiefly conciliation on Challis's part. He did not wish to seem in a hurry to get away from Mrs. Eldridge, or to resent her discussion of his affairs. "Oh--she _talked_, of course! You mean when I saw her yesterday? Only she was still so anxious about John." "He'll be all right, won't he? Did you say peritonitis? Are you sure? Because peritonitis is the dooce's own delight." "The doctor says there is no occasion for the slightest uneasiness." Whereupon Challis settled in his own mind that John Eldridge would be spared to his wife and relatives, for the present at any rate. Peritonitis inside a week, and no need for uneasiness at the end of it! He allowed the medical report to lapse, and referred again to what Charlotte had said. It certainly seemed, to judge by Marianne's reply, "I thought she was quite mistaken, you know," that Charlotte _had_ "talked, of course," although she _was_ so uneasy about John. "What about?" But he didn't want to seem to catechize, so he discovered that his cigar--which he was quite half through--didn't draw well, and lit another. Then he was able to say, "Let's see!--what were we talking about? What Charlotte said." He resumed his place beside his wife, too manifestly to receive the answer for her to withhold it. "It was only general conversation, about what Miss Arkroyd's family--with all their ideas--would think of her going on the stage." "My dear! I must say I do wish you hadn't mentioned Miss Arkroyd to her at all. I hope you made her understand she must be quiet about it?" "Oh, _she_ won't mention it--except perhaps to John." Challis looked alarmed. However, John couldn't talk much at present, even if peritonitis only meant obstruction. "Besides, I didn't really tell her anything. It was an accident. I showed her something else in your letter a week ago, and by the merest chance she read it by mistake. It wasn't her fault." "Nor yours. I see! But what did she read?" "Only where you said you would have to talk to the old boy about his daughter's stage-mania ... nothing that could possibly do any harm." Now, Challis's conscience had been uneasy about the part he was going to play in helping Judith towards a secret arrangement which was sure to outrage the feelings of her family. So, when he said "Oh!" to this, he had to jump abruptly on to make it seem a casual, ordinary "Oh!" He succeeded pretty well. "What was Charlotte's idea?" said he. "The same idea, of course. As long as Sir Thingummy knew all about it, no one could possibly blame _you_."