"What a view you have here."
"Isn't it splendid. I have told father you are here. He says that he will be down in ten minutes."
"I am glad you have told him. I want to get to know your father."
"Yes, but that's so difficult."
Her face fell, and she looked grave. It was sufficient for Jasper to realise that Mr. Anthony Durrell had a perplexing personality. His austerity was the austerity of a fanatic. As for courtesy, it seemed to be absent. Nor did he appear to have any sympathy for this lonely, dark-eyed child.
"Your father leads a hard life."
"Yes. Often he is up half the night, reading. You should see his books. Sometimes I hate books. It has been like that since mother died."
Jasper looked at her with secret compassion.
"When was that?"
"Twelve years ago. Father has never been the same since then."