5
'Hate hospitals, don't you?' said Nonie, as she had said when they entered. They were going out at the gates now. 'I suppose they have to be, though.'
'Suppose so,' Alix agreed listlessly.
Then with an effort she threw the hospital off.
'That's over, anyhow. I shan't go again. Let's come and do something awfully different now.'
They did.
6
When Alix got back to Violette, she was met in the little linoleumed hall by distress and pity, and Mrs. Frampton preparing to break something to her, with a kind, timid arm round her shoulders.
'Dearie, there was a telegram.... You were out, so we opened it.... Now you must be ever so brave.'
'No,' said Alix, rigid and leaning on her stick and whitely staring from narrowed eyes. 'No....'