Cicely made an incredulous gesture. Then she said acrimoniously:
“I suppose you don’t believe in friendship between a man and a girl?”
“I don’t.”
“Well, I do. Friendship between girls is rather difficult.”
“Friendship between any two persons is very difficult. Most women are too exacting in their friendships. For instance, you expect a lot of sloppy sentiment from me. You won’t get it. My object is to save you from yourself. You are drifting. If you really want to drift, say so, and I’ll shut up. But I warn you, within a day or two you’ll have to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to Arthur Wilverley. If you temporise, he’ll think you a rotter.”
“If Arthur bustles me, I shall say ‘no.’ ”
“I knew it!” exclaimed Miss Tiddle, triumphantly. “You don’t love him.”
“I—I might.”
Tiddy wisely said no more.
Next day, Destiny interfered. At a moment when Lady Selina had good reason to think that her son would be spared, because our cavalry were well out of the danger zone, Brian Chandos was offered and accepted a staff appointment.