Audrey made a resolution. After all, what mattered was that things should be more tolerable for Clayton. She turned to Natalie.
“Why don't you try to do what he wants, Natalie? He must have a reason for asking you. And it would please him a lot.”
“If I start making concession, I can just keep it up. He's like that.”
“He's so awfully fine, Natalie. He's—well, he's rather big. And sometimes I think, if you just tried, he wouldn't be so hard to please. He probably wants peace and happiness?”
“Happiness!” Natalie's voice was high. “That sounds like Clay. Happiness! Don't you suppose I want to be happy?”
“Not enough to work for it,” said Audrey, evenly.
Natalie turned and stared at her.
“I believe you're half in love with Clay yourself!”
“Perhaps I am.”
But she smiled frankly into Natalie's eyes.