'Not a quarrel, Edith, because I wouldn't quarrel. I merely rubbed in his ingratitude, and he didn't like it. He said, "Well, let's hope if you're no longer wasting your valuable life on my theatricals you'll now be able to arrive at the office in fairly decent time," or something nasty like that. Disgusting--wasn't it?' Edith looked at the clock. 'Too bad,' she said. 'Well, you must tell me all about it--a long account of the whole thing--this afternoon. I won't go out. I'll be at home when you come--to hear all about it. And now--' 'But that wasn't nearly all,' continued Bruce, without moving; 'you'd hardly believe it, but Mitchell actually said that he didn't think I had the smallest talent for the stage! He said I made much too much of my part--over-acted--exaggerated! When I made a point of keeping my rendering of the little scene _particularly_ restrained! The fact is, Mitchell's a conceited ass. He knows no more of acting than that chair, and he thinks he knows everything.' 'It's fortunate you hadn't ordered your costume.' 'Yes, indeed. As I told him, the whole thing might have cost me a tremendous lot--far more than I could afford--put me to tremendous expense; and all for nothing! But he said no doubt the costumier would take it back. Take it back, indeed! And that if he wouldn't I could send the costume to him--Mitchell--_and_ the bill--it would be sure to come in useful some time or other--the costume, I mean. As though I'd dream of letting him pay for it! I told him at once there could be no question of such a thing.' 'Well, there won't, as you haven't ordered it.' 'Now, Edith, let me beg you not to argue. Isn't it bad enough that I'm slighted by my so-called friends, and treated with the basest ingratitude, without being argued with and nagged at in my own home?' 'I didn't know I was arguing. I beg your pardon. You mustn't worry about this, dear. After all, I suppose if they found at the rehearsals that they didn't really _need_ a mandarin--I mean, that the fancy-ball scene wasn't necessary--perhaps from their point of view they were right to cut it out. Don't have a lasting feud with Mitchell--isn't he rather an important friend for you--at the office?' 'Edith, Mitchell shall never set foot under my roof--never darken these doors again!' 'I wonder why, when people are angry, they talk about their roofs and doors? If you were pleased with Mitchell again, you wouldn't _ask_ him to set foot under your roof--nor to darken the door. You'd ask him to come and see us. Anyhow, he won't feel it so very much--because he'll not notice it. He's never been here yet.' 'I know; but Mrs Mitchell was going to call. You will be out to her now, remember.' 'I can safely promise, I think, never to receive her, Bruce.' 'Good heavens!' cried Bruce, looking at the clock. 'Do you know what the time is? I told you so! I knew it! You've made me late at the office!' CHAPTER XXX Mitchell Behaves Decently