Anne's voice was as dull and flat as she could make it. If only Maisie would leave off talking about Jerrold, making her lie.
"I've wanted to know you more than anybody I've ever heard of. There are heaps of things I want to say to you." She stooped to pick the last tulip of the bunch she was gathering for Anne. "I think it was perfectly splendid of you the way you looked after Colin. And the way you've looked after Jerry's land for him."
"That was nothing. I was very glad to do it for Jerrold, but it was my job, anyway."
"Well, you've saved Colin. And you've saved the land. What's more, I believe you've saved Jerrold."
"How do you mean, 'saved' him? I didn't know he wanted saving."
"He did, rather. I mean you've made him care about the estate. He didn't care a rap about it till he came down here this last time. You've found his job for him."
"He'd have found it himself all right without me."
"I'm not so sure. We were awfully worried about him after the war. He was all at a loose end without anything to do. And dreadfully restless. We thought he'd never settle to anything again. And I was afraid he'd want to live in London."
"I don't think he'd ever do that."
"He won't now. But, you see, he used to be afraid of this place."