"Have you finished with me? May I go now?"
Clare's laugh was quite unforced.
"You're not to go yet!"
"Yes. Yes—I think so. May I go now, please?"
She had retreated to the door and clung to the handle looking back with blank eyes.
"But, you foolish child, you've had no tea. Why are you running away? Are you going to spoil my afternoon?"
She lied blunderingly, mad to escape.
"But I told you I couldn't stay long. Because—because of Elsbeth. She's to meet me. I only ran up for a minute. Really, I have to go." She made a tremendous effort: "I—I can come back later."
Clare shrugged her shoulders.
"Oh, very well. Will you come to supper?"