Alice gave a low cry and struggled to her feet.
"I thought you were never coming," she said.
Gwenda held her in her arms. She faced them.
"What have you been doing to her—all of you?"
Rowcliffe answered. Though he was the innocent one of the three he looked the guiltiest. He looked utterly ashamed.
"We've had rather a scene, and it's been a bit too much for her," he said.
"So I see," said Gwenda. She had not greeted Mary or her father.
"If you could persuade her to go upstairs to bed——"
"I've told you I won't go till he comes," said Ally.
She sat down on the sofa as a sign that she was going to wait.