"I wish to ask you what that girl should do."
"Do? Nothing. What is there for her to do?"
"Ought she to let that man care for her?"
"Has he ever made the same mistake she has?"
"I—don't think so."
"Are you sure?"
"Almost."
"Well, then, I'd tell him."
Rita lay silent, gazing into space, her blond hair clustering around the pretty oval of her face.
Valerie waited for a few moments, then resumed her reading, glancing inquiringly at intervals over the top of her book at Rita, who seemed disinclined for further conversation.