Cuthbert seemed impressed.
"She doesn't need to make so much of the 'so far' pose," he said gruffly.
"Oh yes, she does," replied Elma. "It's her mother. She withers poor Adelaide Maud to a stick. It's a wonder she's such a duck. Adelaide Maud, I mean. Cuthbert, when are you coming home for a long visit?" she asked.
"Next summer. I shall tell you a great secret. I think I am to get a lectureship, quite a good thing. Can you keep it from the pater until I'm sure?"
"Rather," said Elma.
"Then," he said, "if it isn't all roses here next summer, you'll only have one person to blame."
"One?" asked Elma.
Visions of Isobel cut everything from her mind.
"Is it Isobel?" she asked mildly.
"Isobel!" Cuthbert looked so disgusted that she could have kissed him.