What I suddenly did realize was that, for next to no reason, I was on the brink of squabbling ridiculously with my chum.
So I hastily changed the subject to rent-money and the length of time I should probably be away, caught up Sydney’s ever-to-be-hated song, reassured Cicely that I was not going to be married until after the summer—long after! and told her I was glad she was getting on so well.
“Get Mr. Vandeleur, if he wants cheering up, to take you to ‘The Keening of Deidre,’” said I. “Good-bye!”
* * * * *
It threatened to be a silent motor-drive back to Sevenoaks.
Again I felt that I should have to be the one to take the plunge into conversation.
“Well?” I said. “Didn’t you think Miss Harradine a very pretty girl?”
“Beautiful hair,” said Mr. Waters, “hasn’t she?”
“Oh, lovely.”
Silence.