Her heart beat calmly, stilled by the sheer incredibility of the adventure.
"Of course we shall see him. Mrs. Smythe-Caulfield will manage that. It might have been a little difficult if the Professor had been staying anywhere else. But I know Mrs. Smythe-Caulfield very well. No doubt she's arranged for you to have a long talk with him."
"Does she know what I want to see him about?"
"Well—yes—I thought it best, my dear, to tell her just what you told me, so that she might see how important it is…. There's no knowing what may come of it…. Did you bring them with you?"
"No, I didn't. If he won't look at them I should feel such an awful fool."
"Perhaps," said Miss Kendal, "it is wiser not to assume beforehand.
Nothing may come of it. Still, I can't help feeling something will….
When you're famous, Mary, I shall think of how we went into Durlingham
together."
"Whatever comes of it I shall think of you."
The marabou feather quivered slightly.
"How long have we known each other?"
"Seventeen years."