"You never wrote or telephoned to me," he interrupted.
"The doctor told me I mustn't. He put me on my honour. I'm not sure that I didn't really break my word when I sent you those flowers." Her hand stole out and sought his under the table. "Don't you think it would have been kind to let me know? Don't you think it's possible I may have been worrying about you?"
Eric dropped his napkin and picked it up again for an excuse to escape her hand.
"Isn't it rather late in the day to begin worrying?" he asked. The girl winced and bit her lip. "I was only a bit overwrought," he added. "Now I'm rather less overwrought. There was nothing else to tell you."
"About America? I saw it in some paper, but I didn't bother about the date. I didn't think it necessary. Eric—Eric, you weren't going away without saying good-bye?"
He turned upon her so suddenly that she was frozen into silence.
"Would you have had anything to say, if you hadn't promised Gaisford not to communicate with me?"
"The usual things, Eric. I'd have told you what I was doing, I'd have sent you my love. If you're tired of that, darling——"
"Not that, Barbara!"
Her eyes opened wide with distress.