Outbreak of Love Read Online Free Page B

do my best.”
    â€œThat is why I have come to you,” he said simply.
    She was not sure that she liked this explanation. She was quite sure that she did not like his anxiety, when they were in the street, lest they should be seen by anyone who knew him, especially by one of Diana’s numerous relatives. Mrs Montaubyn would be more difficult to explain than the simple girls with whom they sometimes saw him, and who, he was able truthfully to say, were his pupils. His frequent appearance with them in teashops was one of the things which, whether they approved it or not, the family had come to accept. He was more at ease and sighed and smiled at her as if she shared his relief, when at last they were seated in the restaurant. For the first half of the meal they were entirely preoccupied with their food.
    â€œMine is a nice duckling,” said Wolfie. “Let me give you this piece.” He cut off a leg and put it on her plate. She gave him a wing in exchange, saying:
    â€œI have to think of my figure, Dingo.”
    â€œIt is good for a woman to be soft and fat,” he said, looking at her with tender appreciation. Then she saw his expression change into one of dismay. He sat frozen with apprehension as two men came towards the table. They were Steven and George, Diana’s brothers, who sometimes came here for a foreign meal. They saw Wolfie and crossed over to say good-evening. Wolfie rose and bowed formally. He tried to stand so that he would conceal Mrs Montaubyn, a difficult thing to do, and as he did not introduce them, they passed on. He would have been astonished and even morally indignant if he could have heard their conversation.
    â€œThank goodness Wolfie’s at last got someone of his own age,” said George, who was cynical about marriage.
    â€œI hope Diana doesn’t have to pay for her,” said Steven crossly. “It’s the limit.”
    â€œI believe he pays for his own pleasures, but she looks rather expensive. Anyhow, it’s safer than schoolgirls.”
    â€œIt’s squalid.”
    â€œWolfie is squalid,” said George, “but I quite like him.”
    They sat where they could not see Wolfie unless they turned their heads, and in a few minutes forgot him. Wolfie did not know this, and for the rest of the meal his manner to Mrs Montaubyn was respectful but aloof, as if she were someone with whom he was only slightly acquainted. He had been careless about displaying his attachment to his pupils, as they were technically innocent, and in the security of his good conscience he did not know that they were more shocking to the public than half a dozen discreet Mrs Montaubyns.
    â€œWho are the swells?” she asked, detecting in Steven and George the same intonation as her late husband’s.
    Wolfie could never resist an opportunity of adding to his own importance. As Mrs Montaubyn had classified Steven and George as swells, he had to announce that they were his wife’s brothers.
    â€œWhy didn’t you introduce me?”
    â€œIt is bad already. Now trouble may come upon me.”
    â€œWhat can those two sticks do?”
    â€œThey can tell my wife and I am ruined.”
    Mrs Montaubyn’s cheeks reddened, but controlling herself she asked: “What’s wrong with having tea with a friend?”
    â€œThat is so,” said Wolfie thoughtfully. “Perhaps we look modest.”
    â€œYou bet we do,” said Mrs Montaubyn, and she shook silently, and then emitted the long gasp of air.
    But Wolfie’s manner remained aloof, and he fidgeted to leave the restaurant and return to the flat. Mrs Montaubyn’s bedroom had a rich appearance of pink satin, given not only by the curtains and the bedcover, but by pink satin bows tied on the dressing-table and on the looking-glass. Here Wolfie recovered his peace of mind.
    â€œNow let us forget all worldliness and malice,” he said, and Mrs Montaubyn was only too glad to