The door opened, and Henry’s reveries were interrupted by the entrance of Millie. He started, and then jumped up on seeing her; for a moment, under the power of his thoughts, he had forgotten his news; now he stammered with the importance of it.
“Millie!” he cried.
“Hullo, Henry,” she said, smiling. “We expected you hours ago.”
He dropped his voice. “I’ve been round to see Katie. Look here, Millie, it’s most important. She’s coming here to see Mother.”
Millie glanced behind. They carried on then the rest of their conversation in whispers.
“To see Mother?”
“Yes. She can’t bear waiting any longer. She felt that she must be here on Grandfather’s birthday.”
“But—but—”
“Yes, I know. But she thinks that if she sees Mother alone and she can show her that nothing’s changed—”
“But everything’s changed. She doesn’t know how different Mother is.”