‘You mean you don’t want a strange woman around the house, even temporarily? It can’t possibly be the money. Marion says you earn thirty-thousand a year even before you start on the perks and the expenses.’

‘What Marion says about money is usually nonsense. All right then, I don’t want a strange woman around the house. The whole thing’s impossible! Marion’s never given a thought to politics. Suddenly she cuts bits out of the newspapers and spouts out of the New Statesman.’

Anna laughed. ‘Richard, what’s really the matter? Well, what is it? Marion was drinking herself silly. She’s stopped. Surely that’s worth almost anything? I should imagine she’s a better mother than she was.’

‘Well that’s certainly saying a lot!’

Richard’s lips actually trembled; and his whole face swelled and reddened. Seeing Anna’s face, which openly diagnosed self-pity, he restored himself by again pressing the buzzer, and when the discreetly attentive young man entered — another one — handed over the file and said: ‘Telephone Sir Jason and ask him to lunch with me on Wednesday or Thursday at the club.’

‘Who is Sir Jason?’

‘You know quite well you don’t care.’

‘I’m interested.’

‘He’s a very charming man.’

‘Good.’

‘He’s also an opera fan — knows everything about music.’

‘Delightful.’

‘And we are about to buy a controlling interest in his company.’

‘Well that’s all very satisfactory, isn’t it? I do wish you’d come to the point, Richard. What’s really on your mind?’

‘If I paid a woman to come in and take Marion’s place with the children it would turn my whole life upside-down. Apart from the cost,’ he could not prevent himself adding.

‘It occurs to me that you’re so extraordinary about money because of your bohemian phase in the ‘thirties? I’ve never before met a man who was born rich who had your attitude to money. I suppose when your family cut you off with that shilling it was a real shock to you? You go on like a suburban factory manager who’s done better than he expected.’

‘Yes, you’re right. It was a shock. It was the first time in my life I realized what money was worth. I’ve never forgotten it. And I agree I’ve got the attitude to money of someone who’s had to make it. Marion has never understood that — and you and Molly keep telling me she’s so intelligent!’