'Because he's been going to specialists for everything he could think of, and they all say he's specially well. Still, it's better than if he were really ill, I suppose. Only he's very tormenting, and hardly ever works, and lately he's taken to making jealous scenes.' 'Oh, that must be rather fun. Who is he jealous of?' 'Why, he thinks he's jealous of his friend Raggett--the most impossible, harmless creature in the world; and the funny thing is whenever Bruce is jealous of anyone he keeps on inviting them--won't leave them alone. If I go out when Raggett appears, he says it's because I'm so deep; and if I stay he finds fault with everything I do. What do you advise me to do, Hyacinth?' 'Why, give him something more genuine to worry about--flirt with a real person. That would do Bruce good, and be a change for you.' 'I would--but I haven't got time! What chance is there for flirting when I have to be always contriving and economising, and every scrap of leisure I must be there or thereabouts in case Bruce has heart disease or some other illness suddenly? When you are living with a strong young man who thinks he's dangerously ill, flirting is not so easy as it sounds. When he isn't here I'm only too glad to rest by playing with Archie.' 'I see. What do you think could cure Bruce of his imaginary maladies?' 'Oh, not having to work, coming into some money. You see, it fills up the time which he can't afford to spend on amusements.' Edith laughed. 'It's a bore for you....' 'Oh, I don't mind much; but you see we all have our little troubles.' 'Then, how did you say I ought to behave about the Selseys?' 'Don't behave at all. Be perfectly natural, ignore it. By acting as if things were just as you liked, they often become so.' There was a ring on the telephone. Edith went into the next room to answer it, and came back to say-- 'Bruce has just rung up. He wants to know if Raggett's here. He says he'll be home in half an hour. He doesn't feel up to the mark, and can't stay at the office.' 'Poor little Edith!' 'And don't for goodness sake bother yourself about Cecil. As if there was any man in the world who hadn't liked somebody some time or other!' Hyacinth laughed, kissed her, and went away. CHAPTER XXVII Miss Wrenner One day Bruce came into the flat much more briskly than usual. There was a certain subdued satisfaction in his air that Edith was glad to see. He sat down, lit a cigarette, and said-- 'Edith, you know how strongly I disapprove of the modern fashion of husbands and wives each going their own way--don't you?' 'Where are you thinking of going, dear?' 'Who said I was thinking of going anywhere?' 'No-one. But it's obvious, or you wouldn't have begun like that.' 'Why? What did you think I was going to say next?'