"'It's wonderful to meet you at last,' said Fanny. 'He's talked about you for years. I can remember once long before—long before the War—and everything—at Hampton Court. I can remember sitting on those seats by the river and his talking about you.'
"'I remember that,' I said, though it wasn't the part about Milly that had stuck in my memory.
"'We used to go about together no end in those days,' said Fanny. 'He was the dearest of brothers.'
"'I hope he'll still be,' said Milly very kindly.
"'A son's a son till he gets a wife,' said Fanny, quoting an old-woman's proverb.
"'You mustn't say that,' said Milly. 'I hope you'll come to see us—quite often.'
"'I'd love to come,' said Fanny. 'You're lucky to get a house so easily, these days.'
"'It isn't quite ready yet,' said Milly. 'But as soon as ever it is we must find some day when you are free.'
"'I'm often free,' said Fanny.
"'We'll fix a day,' said Milly, obviously quite resolute to ensure that we had no unexpected calls from Fanny when other people might be about.