‘Oh, have I?’ she said, looking away embarrassed.
‘I don’t think Mariella’s changed a bit,’ said Martin with surprise.
‘Ah, well,’ said Julian, coming out of a deep musing, ‘I feel changed, Heaven knows.... Now I shall have a short sleep, my children, and then I am at your disposal for a jolly game of tag. Judith has, as usual, cured me of most of my bad temper, and slumber will complete the process. Judith, angel, you’ll stay by me, won’t you, and wave cigarettes?... Go away, chaps. Judith and I are going to converse until I fall asleep. Remember I haven’t seen her for three years.’
‘I’m going to look for a place to bathe,’ said Martin. ‘Mariella, will you come?’
‘Yes.’ She held out her hands to him, giving him her sweet, small smile of the lips. He pulled her up on to her feet and they started to walk away.
‘I’ll come and find you,’ called Judith. ‘I want to bathe too.’
Martin turned eagerly.
‘There are one or two pools somewhere down this way,’ he said. ‘Will you follow us?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good.’