We saw him that day at Prince's--I hadn't seen him for
two or three months before that--I haven't seen him since. I don't
think you can ever rely on a married man. Don't you know that line
of Kipling's?"
"Which?"
"In 'Barrack Room Ballads'--'Fuzzy Wuzzy,' I think."
"Nothing about a married man, surely?"
"No; but it fits him."
"''E's all 'ot sand and ginger when alive,
An' 'e's generally shammin' when 'e's dead.'"
Mrs. Durlacher broke into a peal of laughter. "What a quaint creature
you are!" she said. "Whatever made you think of that?"
"Well, he is like that--isn't he? I mean, you never know the moment
when his wife isn't going to hear a rumour. Then he shams dead, and
the next time he sees you, he just manages, with an effort, to
recognize you by your appearance."
"Is that what happened to Devenish?" asked Mrs. Durlacher with
amusement.
"I expect so. I never heard that his wife knew anything; but from
the way he suddenly fell in a heap, I should think it's quite likely.
And he's shamming still."
"Well, let him sham. I don't think he's worth anything else." She
paused, watching the effect of her words. "Oh, and you never told
me what you thought of my brother yesterday?"
"I think he's rather quaint.
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