'I shall miss you awfully,' he said, speaking more quickly than usual to get it over.
She gave a very small smile.
'Er—and then may I ask what you're thinking of doing next?'
'That was just what I was thinking about,' she answered rather naïvely.
'There are so few things I can do.'
Then fearing this sentence sounded like begging to remain, she hastily added:
'And of course if I don't go home I might be a companion or look after children.'
'I wonder if Mrs Ottley—' began Aylmer. 'She has a dear little girl, and I've heard her say she would soon want someone.'
'Dilly?' said Dulcie, with a slight smile.
'Yes, Dilly.'
There was a moment of intense awkwardness between them.