"So I see," said Hilda, meaning that so she smelt. "I just looked in on the chance of seeing Maggie."
"Maggie went out about half-an-hour ago."
Auntie Hamps's expression had grown mysterious. Hilda thought: "What's she hiding from me?"
"Oh, well, it doesn't matter," said she. "You're going out too, Auntie."
"I do wish I'd known you were coming, dear. Will you stay and have a cup of tea?"
"No, no! I won't keep you."
"But it will be a pleasure, dear," Auntie Hamps protested warmly.
"No, no! Thanks! I'll just walk along with you a little of the way. Which direction are you going?"
Auntie Hamps hesitated, she was in a dilemma.
"What is she hiding from me?" thought Hilda.