'I suppose neither of them told the truth about their age,' said Edith. 'It reminds one of the joke in Punch: "Where do you expect to go if you tell lies? To the front."'
Miss Clay gave a little laugh. Then she started. A bell was heard ringing rather loudly.
'I'll tell him you're coming tomorrow, then,' she said.
They returned to Aylmer's room.
He was looking a little sulky. He said as Edith came in:
'I thought you'd gone without saying good-bye. What on earth were you doing?'
'Only talking to Miss Clay,' said Edith, sitting down by him. 'How sweet she is.'
'Charming,' said Madame Frabelle. 'Wonderfully pretty, too.'
'She's a good nurse,' said Aylmer briefly. 'She's been awfully good to me. But I do hope I shan't need her much longer.' He spoke with unnecessary fervour.
'Oh, Mr Ross!' exclaimed Madame Frabelle. 'I'm sure if I were a young man I should be very sorry when she had to leave me!'