And again her mind went to Claude Heath.
"Better to keep out of it! Better to keep out of it!" a voice said within her.
And apparently Heath was of one mind with her on this matter.
As Mrs. Mansfield and Charmian were going away they met Mrs. Shiffney in the hall with Ferdinand, who was holding her cloak.
"Oh, Charmian!" she said, turning quickly, with the cloak over one of her broad shoulders. "I heard from Claude Heath to-day."
"Did you?" said Charmian languidly, looking about her at the crowd.
"Yes. He can't come. His mother's got a cold and he doesn't like to leave her, or something. And he's working very hard on a composition that nobody is ever to hear. And—I forget what else. But there were four sides of excuses."
She laughed.
"Poor boy! He hasn't much savoir-faire. Good-night! I'll let you know when we start."
Her eyes pierced Charmian.