‘So am I, Martin. Honestly I am.’
She was remorseful.
‘I’m going away to-morrow—must get back to the farm.’ He swallowed hard. ‘I wonder if—I’d awfully like you to meet my mother. Would it bore you frightfully to come and stay?’
‘It wouldn’t bore me one little bit. I’d love to meet your mother.’
‘Oh, good!’ He beamed. ‘I’d love to show you my home. It’s rather nice.’
Mariella leaned over his shoulder to say:
‘Drive straight to the station, Martin. Julian will miss his train if we don’t hurry.’
In another ten minutes they were at the station.
‘We’ll come and see you off, Julian,’ said Mariella.
‘I mustn’t wait,’ said Judith. ‘Mamma’s having supper early. I promised I’d be back. Good-bye and thank you all very very much. Good-bye, Julian.’