‘Yes, it was to a wedding.’
Rather tremulously, ‘You haven’t forgotten whose wedding, have you?’
‘Tell me, Ellen.’ He is no longer troubled. He knows that Ellen will tell him.
‘I have been seeing Barbara married, John.’
‘Yes, it was Barbara’s wedding. They wouldn’t——Ellen, why wasn’t I there?’
Like one telling him amusing gossip, ‘I thought you might be a little troubled if you went, John. Sometimes your mind—not often, but sometimes if you are agitated—and then you think you see—people who aren’t here any longer. Oh dear, oh dear, help me with these bonnet strings.’
‘Yes, I know. I’m all right when you are with me, Ellen. Funny, isn’t it?’
She raises her shoulders in a laugh. ‘It is funny, John. I ran back to you, John. I was thinking of you all the time—even more than of Billy boy.’
The Colonel is very gay. ‘Tell me all about it, Ellen. Did Billy boy lose the ring? We always said he would lose the ring.’
She looks straight into his eyes. ‘You have forgotten again, John. Barbara isn’t married to Billy boy.’