"Not at all. I'm only finishing off that wretched paraphrasing set us for prep. Couldn't get it done before."
There was a pause till Kitty recollected she had not yet explained the reason for her visit. "Oh, by the way, France told me you had something to say to me. That's why I looked in."
"Oh, I see. It's nothing of much importance. Any time would have done. I thought, until Hilary returns, you might as well dig in here with France and me. It's lonely having a room all on your own."
Kitty flushed in surprise.
"Oh, but I don't mind that. I don't want to cause you any inconvenience."
"Not at all. There's heaps of room for three here, if we clear some of France's litter."
Kitty looked uncomfortable. "Was it you or France who thought of this?"
"Does it matter who thought of it?" returned Duane, carelessly.
Kitty was silent again, feeling still more uncomfortable.
"Thanks all the same," she said, at last, "but I don't think I will."