While she was undressing, Evie came in, to wash her hands for supper. Evie was radiant and merry.
'Hard luck your having to go back, Al,' said Evie, splashing her face and hands. 'I'm stiff all over; I'm for a hot bath afterwards. We had a lovely time; simply screaming, it was. Mr. Doye is rather a sport. They're all a jolly set, though. Even that Mr. Ingram, the one you were talking to, brightened up later on, though when first you turned back he looked as if he was at his father's funeral. You must have made an impression. But he got over it all right and was quite chirpy.'
'Was he?' said Alix.
'I've promised Mr. Doye to go out again with him, next Sat. He's quite determined. I don't know what Sid Vinney'll say, because I'd half promised him. But I don't care. Sid's an old silly, anyhow.'
Evie smothered herself in the towel, scrubbing her smooth skin that no scrubbing could hurt.
'Dommage, you being seedy,' said Evie, and pulled off her walking shoes. 'You'd have enjoyed the day no end. Still feeling sick? Oh, poor kid, bad luck.... Well, there's the bell, I must run. I've heaps more to tell you. But you'd better go off straight to sleep after supper; I won't disturb you when I come up.'
She ran downstairs. Alix heard her voice in the dining-room below, through supper. Evie had had a good day. Evie was lovely, and jolly, and kind, and a good sort, but Alix did not want to see her, or to hear her talk.
4
It was Kate who came up after supper, with a mustard leaf, which she put on Alix's chest.
'Shall I read to you till I take it off?' Kate said; and what she selected to read was the current issue of the Sign, the parish magazine she took in. (Mrs. Frampton took the Peep of Day, which was the magazine of the church she attended.)