‘Willis, I want to know who Clara is?’
He moved his eyes slowly, and regarded her with a puzzled look.
‘Clara? What Clara?’
‘Somebody you know of. You’ve got a habit of talking in your sleep lately. You were calling out “Clara!” last night, and that’s the second time I’ve heard you.’
He was absent for a few seconds, then laughed and shook his head.
‘I don’t know anybody called Clara. It’s your mistake.’
‘I’m quite sure it isn’t,’ Alice murmured discontentedly.
‘Well, then, we’ll say it is,’ he rejoined in a firmer voice. ‘If I talk in my sleep, perhaps it’ll be better for you to pay no attention. I might find it inconvenient to live with you.’
Alice looked frightened at the threat.
‘You’ve got a great many secrets from me,’ she said despondently.