Joan knew what Miss Milton would say, "That they might be in next week, but that she couldn't be sure." Was Joan strong enough now, in her new- found glory, to fight for them? She did not know.
She advanced to the table smiling. Miss Milton did not look up, but continued to knit one of her horrible stockings.
"Good-morning, Miss Milton. Mother has sent back these books. They were not quite what she wanted."
"I'm sorry for that." Miss Milton took the books into her chilblained protection. "It's a little difficult, I must say, to know what Mrs. Brandon prefers."
"Well, there's Sentimental Tommy," began Joan.
But Miss Milton was an old general.
"Oh, that's out, I'm afraid. Now, here's a sweetly pretty book--Roger Varibrugh's Wife, by Adeline Sergeant. It'a only just out...."
"Or there's The Sowers," said Joan, caught against her will by the red-rimmed eyes and staring at them.
"Oh, that's out, I'm afraid. There are several books here--"
"You promised mother," said Joan, "that she should have Sentimental Tommy this week. You promised her a month ago. It's about time that mother had a book that she cares for."