She inquired after Laura, and was told that she would not know her. The Kiddy, he said, smiling, had grown up. She was almost plump; she had almost a colour.
"She wants to see you," he said. "She told me I was to bring you back with me."
Ages passed before she answered. "I don't think, really, Owen, that I can come."
"Why not?" he said.
She would have told him that she was too busy, but for her knowledge that with Owen lying was no good. She resented his asking her why not, when he knew perfectly well why.
"Why ever not," he repeated, "when we want you?"
She smiled. "You seem determined to get everything you want."
She had a good mind to tell him straight out, there and then, that he couldn't have everything he wanted, not with her, at any rate. He couldn't have it both ways. But you do not say these things; and if she could judge by the expression of his face what she had said had hit him hard enough.
He sheltered himself behind a semblance of irrelevance. "Laura is very fond of you."
The significance of the statement lay in its implication that he was very fond of Laura. Taken that way it was fuel heaped on to Nina's malignant fire. Under it she smouldered darkly.