"Well, I don't see why there should be anything wrong about this. I'm lonely, and so are you—why shouldn't we be friends?"
"I've never done anything like it before. It's funny that father and mother are so awfully particular, for they don't bother about me much in other ways. I'm nearly always alone when I'm at Shovelstrode. Father's busy, and mother's not strong, and Awdrey has so many people to go about with."
"And when you come back from a long walk, no one asks you where you've been, or whom you've met?"
"I'm not supposed to go for long walks by myself—only to potter round the estate—and no one ever asks me any questions."
Her voice was rather pathetic—in contrast to her proud assurance when she talked about school.
"We'll meet again," he said impulsively.
"I hope so—I hope so awfully. To-morrow I've got to go over to Haxsmiths in the car with Awdrey, but I've nothing else all the rest of this week. I wanted father to take me to Lingfield races on Saturday, but he can't."
"Do you like race-meetings?"
"I've never been to one in my life. I wanted so much to go this time—I'm generally at school, you know, and it seemed such a good chance; but father has to be in Lewes, and Awdrey's spending the week-end in Brighton—besides, I couldn't go with her alone, one wants a man."
"I'll take you if you like."