Tessa met her at the head of the stairs.
“I’ve come to stay all night. Do you want me?”
“I want you more than I want any one in the world.”
“That’s refreshing. I wanted to see you and that’s why I came. Norah Bird said that Dine was to stay all night with her and I knew I should have you all to myself. Dr. Lake brought me. I believe that he wanted me to come. What do you stay up here for? It’s lovely down-stairs with your father and mother; she is sewing and he is reading to her. Put away that great pile of foolscap and talk to me; I’m as full of talk as an egg is full of meat.”
“Must I break the shell?”
“Your room always looks pretty and there isn’t much in it, either.”
“Of course not, after Old Place.”
“Old Place is enchanting!” Sue tossed her gloves and hat to the bed. “I’ll keep on my sacque; I want to stay up here.”
Tessa had reseated herself at the table. Sue dropped down on the carpet at her feet.
“Have they gone?”