"And another thing! I've told them all that you're never to be disturbed when you're in your own room, that they're never to come to you with notes, or the post, never to call you to the telephone. I want you to feel that once you are inside your own room you are absolutely safe, that it is sacred ground."
"Thank you, Charmian."
He pushed his cup farther away, with a movement that was rather brusque, and got up.
"What about lunch to-day? Do you eat lunch when you are composing? Do you want something sent up to you?"
"Well, I don't know. I don't think I shall want any lunch to-day. You see we've breakfasted late. Don't bother about me."
"It isn't a bother. You know that, Claudie. But would you like a cup of coffee, tea, anything at one o'clock?"
"Oh, I scarcely know. I'll ring if I do."
He made a movement. Charmian got up.
"I do long to know what you are going to work on," she said, in a changed, almost mysterious, voice, which was not consciously assumed.
She came up to him and put her hands on his shoulders.