Chapter Twenty-Three

Henry’s Case

 

Three months later Henry was dining with Sally.

‘You’re the nicest man I know,’ she said.

‘You know what I think of you,’ he said, ‘and that by itself shows I’m not. I knew what would happen if I took you out to dinner. When you first briefed me in order to be near Roger I knew that, unless I took a very firm hold of myself, I should fall in love with you. So far from taking hold of myself I asked Roger if he’d mind. And here we are.’

‘Yes,’ said Sally, ‘here we are. And there’s nothing to be done about it.’

‘P’raps it’s as well,’ said Henry. ‘I shouldn’t think very much of myself if you cared for me. As it is, it’s all right. The only person who’s in trouble is me. I must admit I rather like it.’

‘I’m in trouble too,’ said Sally.

‘Ah, but you were before I met you. So I’ve no responsibility for that.’

‘How is he doing? You think he’ll get on, don’t you?’

‘I’m quite sure he will. He works like a black and he never believes anything anyone says to him until he’s seen it’s right. He’s a certainty. How long it’ll take before he really gets going, I don’t know. But once it starts it’ll come with a rush. And you’ll see he’ll develop. He’s got all the right instincts. A certain degree of priggishness may be an advantage to begin with at the Bar.’

‘Tell me another thing – you needn’t if you don’t want to. Have I a chance?’

‘You tell me and I’ll tell you,’ said Henry.

‘Don’t be flippant, please.’

‘I was not being flippant, I assure you. It’s much worse at thirty-three than it is at twenty-one. I know. I’ve had both. You only know what it’s like at twenty-one.’

‘It’s terrible, Henry. Do please tell me. I’d believe almost anything you tell me. But I shan’t believe you if you say “no.” Since he gave up Joy I thought something might have happened. But it hasn’t.’

‘Poor Joy,’ said Henry. ‘She overdid it.’

‘That isn’t an answer, Henry. Or is it intended to be the kindest way? You are kind, Henry. I’d trust you anywhere. Who’d think of asking an interested party like you?’

‘It is a compliment, I agree. No, I’ve often tried to think what’s the answer to your question. And the only one I can give is “yes”.’

‘D’you mean it, Henry?’

‘Of course I do. But you mustn’t be too optimistic; he’s much too wrapped up in his work. He thinks of very little else. He hasn’t had a brief since he broke with Joy, but he might have a large practice if one judged from the amount of work he does. He’s still terribly young, but he’s developing. And, of course, he’ll fall in love. And it could be with you. He’ll be a blithering idiot, if he doesn’t.’

‘Dear Henry – how lovely to be with you. You’re the nicest man I know.’

‘No chance of promotion?’ said Henry.

Sally shook her head. ‘I doubt it,’ she said.

‘Oh, well,’ said Henry. ‘No case is ever lost till judgment is given, and even then there can be an appeal.’