“Oh, very well. If you let me down, Micky–––”
“You won’t be let down,” Micky said.
June went back to Elphinstone Road with a heavy heart.
She was very thorough in her friendships, and it really seemed a terrible thing to her that Esther would not accept help.
She felt so genuinely fond of the girl herself that she could not understand the feeling of affection and confidence not being reciprocated; she went up to her room and tucked herself into the big armchair amongst the mauve cushions and smoked innumerable cigarettes. Charlie was asleep by the fire; he found his way upstairs now without invitation; he was beginning to get quite respectable-looking; he had lost his wild, scared look, and even his purr had taken on a sleekier, smoother sound.
June stared at him for some time, then suddenly she got up and went downstairs.
She knocked at Esther’s door, but there was no answer, and she went back to her own room dejectedly.
If only Esther were not so proud they might have such good times together! If only Esther had a little money 77 and could go shares with this room; but what was the good of wishing? She hurled one of the mauve cushions across the room, and after that she felt better.
She went down to lunch because she hoped Esther would be there, but she was not. The long room was rather empty, and June ate her cold meat and pudding hurriedly and went back upstairs.
It was getting dusk when she heard Esther come in; she waited eagerly, but the footsteps did not come on to her door. June threw another cushion across the room to keep the other company; it was her chief vent for anger or irritation.