“I just looked in—” Cara, beginning to speak almost as she entered, broke off abruptly as she caught sight of Ann’s stricken face. She hurried to her side. The girl’s mute immobility frightened her.
“Ann!” she cried quickly. “What’s happened? What is the matter with you?”
Slowly Ann turned her head towards her, regarding her with lack-lustre eyes.
“Nothing,” she said. “Or everything. I’m not quite sure which.”
She began to laugh a trifle hysterically, and Cara laid her hands firmly on her shoulders.
“Don’t do that,” she said sharply, giving her a little shake. “Pull yourself together, Ann, and tell me what’s gone wrong.”
With an effort Ann caught back the sobbing laugh that struggled in her throat for utterance. Getting up, she crossed the room to the window and stood there silently for a few moments, with her back towards Cara. When she turned round again it was obvious she had regained her self-control.
“I’m all right, now,” she declared, smiling more naturally.
“Then tell me what’s wrong, and let’s put our heads together to get it right,” replied Cara practically.
“Oh, yes, I’ll tell you. But there’s nothing in the world will put things right, all the same.”