586 ANGEL PAVEMENT

drinks, you might at least have the sense to keep out of
the way, instead of barging in like that and behaving so
stupidly. No, Howard, I'm really disgusted. You know
I'm not silly about drinking, as some women are. But
there's a limit. I believe you're drinking a jolly sight
too much these days, a lot more than is good for you.
Yes, I mean it. Anybody could see what was the matter
with you to-night, up there."

"Oh, could they?" He gave a little laugh.

"Yes, of course they could/'

"Well, believe me, my dear, they couldn't. Not one
of 'em. Not you, even. No, not you."

"Oh, don't be silly, Howard."

"I'm not being silly. I wish to God I was. You know
when I asked Pearson about that job? I suppose you
thought I was being funny then, didn't you?"

"I didn't think you were being particularly funny,"
she told him, "though you obviously thought you were.
If you want to know what I thought, it was that you
were just being rather stupid."

"Well, I wasn't, Pongo," he said quietly, "I was quite
serious. No, listen. We're absolutely done—I mean the
firm, Twigg and Dersingham—completely finished/*

"Howard, you don't mean it?"

"Yes, I do. That's what kept me to-night, I had a
drink or two just because I felt played out, and I sup-
pose I did show it—sorry about that—but I've had a hell
of a day. Golspie's cleared out and left us—"

"But you told me the other day that even if Golspie
did go, it wouldn't matter and you'd arranged every-
thing so that you could do without him."

"I know, but the rotten swine did ine down—'*

uBut how? I don't understand. Howard, you dorrt