Every conversation they had seemed to fall to a stalemate – in what he supposed was a stalemate of a marriage.
He would have to lock himself in his study here as he did the Headmaster’s office at home Hogwarts to make it through to the end of the holidays, but Phineas had already resolved to endure it that way when Ursula mentioned a dinner. He didn’t ask her whose it was, because it didn’t matter in the slightest – he wasn’t going. Living in the same residence was one thing, but needlessly accompanying her to dinners?
“You mean to say you have not already sent the hosts my apologies?” Phineas challenged, cynically. He presumed Ursula leapt at the bit to return all her RSVPs without bothering to ask him to come, because she was so clearly glad when he wasn’t here. And if she had declined on his behalf, assuming he would not be here, well – evidently it would be rude to attend unexpectedly, and so he would be free to stay here in peace.
He would have to lock himself in his study here as he did the Headmaster’s office at home Hogwarts to make it through to the end of the holidays, but Phineas had already resolved to endure it that way when Ursula mentioned a dinner. He didn’t ask her whose it was, because it didn’t matter in the slightest – he wasn’t going. Living in the same residence was one thing, but needlessly accompanying her to dinners?
“You mean to say you have not already sent the hosts my apologies?” Phineas challenged, cynically. He presumed Ursula leapt at the bit to return all her RSVPs without bothering to ask him to come, because she was so clearly glad when he wasn’t here. And if she had declined on his behalf, assuming he would not be here, well – evidently it would be rude to attend unexpectedly, and so he would be free to stay here in peace.
