‘When could I begin?’
‘The place ‘ll be ready on Monday week. Next week you might put in a few hours with us. Just sit and watch and listen, that’s all; to get the hang of the thing.’
‘Thank you for being so ready to help me.’
‘Not a bit of it. I haven’t done yet. There’s a condition. If I fix up this job for you, will you tell me something I want to know?’
Nancy turned her eyes apprehensively.
‘You can guess what it is. I quite believe what you told me some time ago, but I shan’t feel quite easy until I know—’
She finished the sentence with a look. Nancy’s eyes fell.
‘Curiosity, nothing else,’ added the other. ‘Just to make quite sure it isn’t anybody I’ve thought of.’
There was a long silence. Leaning forward upon the table, Nancy turned her wine-glass about and about. She now had a very high colour, and breathed quickly.
‘Is it off, then?’ said Beatrice, in an indifferent tone.