“I can’t. It makes me feel too self-conscious. But he just says that he doesn’t want me to go into any berth just yet. He says that he may be home very soon now....”
“Oh!” said June chagrined. “And then, of course, you’ll be married and live happily ever after....”
“Yes,” said Esther. “I hope so.”
June opened her eyes.
Charlie, curled up on his cushion, started to purr lazily. Presently June flopped down on her knees beside him and began stroking his head.
“You’ll let me have Charlie when you’re married, won’t you?” she said suddenly. “I am sure the phantom lover won’t want him.”
Esther did not answer; she hated herself for remembering that Raymond had once said he loathed cats.
“I told you how Micky went into a pond after a drowning kitten, didn’t I?” June asked reminiscently. “I should have loved him for that alone, if for nothing else....”
Esther made no comment. She moved a little, and the letter slipped from her lap to the floor.
June picked it up.