"Can you tell? In a week?"
"Yes. I can tell…. Are you sure you can spare me four months?"
"Easily."
"Five? Six?"
"If you were still here."
"I shan't be. I shall be in London…. Couldn't you come up?"
"I couldn't, possibly."
His cross mouth and brilliant, irritated eyes questioned her.
"I couldn't leave my mother."