“Of course! How can I keep my coat together?” Miss Waters demanded, plaintively.
“But—you must have more than one button!”
“No, I really didn’t bother about sewing on the others.... Oh! ... My hat!”
And as she grasped after the hat with both hands the coat flew wide open, to reveal its tattered rose coloured lining, hanging in shreds, and the crushed and dusty old dress.
“Hadn’t we better go back?” said Rosaleen. “And I’ll come in and sew your coat for you.”
Anything would be better than to meet him with this companion; better to lose him forever.
“Oh, no, thank you, my dear. As long as I’ve gone this far, I’ll go the rest of the way. I’ll fix it in the library.”
So there was no escape possible. Arm in arm with Miss Waters she must ascend the imposing flight of steps, enter the library, and advance along the lofty corridors.
She saw him! Sitting on a bench, reading a magazine with a sort of severe preoccupation. But Rosaleen knew that he had seen them and was only pretending he hadn’t. They drew nearer and nearer. She was thinking frantically. Should she speak to him anyway, or was he annoyed at her for coming with Miss Waters? Or was he simply being tactful, desiring to avoid embarrassing her with his unsanctioned presence? She couldn’t decide. They drew nearer and nearer ... they were abreast of him.... She threw him one anguished glance, but he did not look up from his magazine.... They passed him, and went into the circulating room.
This was too awful!