That same day Caspar Goodwood came to see him, and he informed his visitor that Miss Stackpole had taken him up and was to conduct him back to England. "Ah then," said Caspar, "I'm afraid I shall be a fifth wheel to the coach. Mrs. Osmond has made me promise to go with you."
"Good heavens—it's the golden age! You're all too kind."
"The kindness on my part is to her; it's hardly to you."
"Granting that, she's kind," smiled Ralph.
"To get people to go with you? Yes, that's a sort of kindness," Goodwood answered without lending himself to the joke. "For myself, however," he added,"I'll go so far as to say that I would much rather travel with you and Miss Stackpole than with Miss Stackpole alone."