“If you speak of the fire, I don’t regard it as an awful calamity; nor do you. As to speaking to-night, that is absurd. To-morrow, or the day after, will be time enough. I am much sorrier for her than I am for you. I can measure her disappointment, but I can’t measure your folly if you play the wrong game. And now—I must hop it.”
“When are you going to France, Tiddy?”
“Why should I go to France?”
This was rank evasion, and Tiddy, challenged to practise what she had preached, knew it. A little red flowed into her cheeks.
“Because you told me that was your intention.”
“Well, we all change our minds, don’t we? I’m doing my bit here, and like the job. So that’s that.”
Her curls were a-flutter as she went out.
Cicely stood still listening, till she heard the purr of the big car. The thought came to her, as it had come to Grimshaw, that Tiddy was not going to France because she had more than liking for her present job. Jealous pangs assailed her. If Tiddy wanted Arthur she would get him.
And why not?
Presently she went upstairs to sit beside her mother. To her astonishment Lady Selina, fortified by soup and a cutlet, declared herself ready to discuss present and future.