"I'm afraid you've been wanting to come in," said I. "Do go in now."
"Thank you," said Alice, "I've nowhere to go to." Then tightening her lips, she added, "Philip's gone."
"I know," said I. "I'm going to try and get him back." Alice stared in amazement.
"You always do spoil Philip, because he's your twin," she said, at last; "you wouldn't do it for me."
"Oh, Alice, you don't know. I'd much rather do it for you, girls are so much less aggravating than boys. But don't try and make it harder for me to make peace."
"I beg your pardon, Isobel. If you do, you're an angel. I couldn't, to save my life."
At the head of the stairs I met Charles.
"He's gone," said he significantly, and bestriding the balustrades, he shot to the foot. When I reached him he was pinching the biceps muscle of his arm.
"Feel, Isobel," said he, "It's hard, isn't it?"
"Very, Charles, but I'm in a hurry."