Mrs. Brigg looked relieved, but still surprised.
"Oh," she said. "That's it, is it?"
She paused as if in consideration.
Suddenly Cuckoo sprang on her, twisted her round, and spun her out into the cold passage. "Light the fire, I tell you!"
She banged the bedroom door and went on with her rapid toilet.
When she came into the sitting-room an uneasy fire was sputtering in the grate, one gas-jet flared, and Doctor Levillier was standing by the window looking out at the fog. He turned to greet her.
"I thought you'd forgotten—or didn't mean to come," Cuckoo said; "they often do—people that say they will to me, I mean."
The doctor held out his hand with a smile.
"No. Am I interrupting you?"
"Me!" said Cuckoo, in amazement, thinking of her empty days. "Lord, no."