“And your youngest sister has a little girl?”

“Yes.”

“Do you like children?”

“Yes.”

“I expect you spend a good deal of your time with your sisters.”

“Well—it’s a fearful distance.” Why didn’t you ask me all these things when I was staying with you. There’s no time now....

“Do you like living alone in London?”

“Well—I’m fearfully busy.”

“I expect you are. I think it’s wonderful. But you must be awfully lonely sometimes.”

Miriam fidgeted and wondered how to go.