Jenny overtook Miss Emily on the landing. She was shaky and, without comment, accepted an arm. When they had reached her room she sat on her bed and looked at Jenny with an expression of triumph.

‘I am not surprised,’ she said. ‘It was to be expected, my dear,’ and fainted.

III

‘Well,’ said Dr Maine, smiling into Miss Emily’s face, ‘there’s no great damage done. I think you’ll recover.’

‘I have already done so.’

‘Yes, I daresay, but I suggest you go slow for a day or two, you know. You’ve had a bit of shock. How old are you?’

‘I’m eighty-three and four months.’

‘Good God!’

‘Ours is a robust family, Dr Maine. My sister, Fanny Winterbottom, whom I daresay you have met, would be alive today if she had not, in one of her extravagant moods, taken an excursion in a speedboat.’

‘Did it capsize?’ Jenny was startled into asking.

‘Not at all. But the excitement was too much and the consequent depression exposed her to an epidemic of Asiatic influenza. From which she died. It was quite unnecessary and the indirect cause of my present embarrassment.’

There was a short silence. Jenny saw Dr Maine’s eyebrows go up.

‘Really?’ he said. ‘Well, now, I don’t think we should have any more conversation tonight. Some hot milk with a little whisky or brandy, if you like it, and a couple of aspirins. I’ll look in tomorrow.’

‘You do not, I notice, suggest that I bathe my injuries in the Spring.’

‘No,’ he said, and they exchanged a smile.

‘I had intended to call upon you tomorrow with reference to my proposals. Have you heard of them?’

‘I have. But I’m not going to discuss them with you tonight.’

‘Do you object? To my proposals?’

‘No. Good night, Miss Pride. Please don’t get up until I’ve seen you.’

‘And yet they would not, I imagine, be to your advantage.’

There was a tap on the door and Mrs Barrimore came in. ‘Miss Pride,’ she said. ‘I’m so sorry. I’ve just heard. I’ve come to see if there’s anything – ’ she looked at Dr Maine.

‘Miss Pride’s quite comfortable,’ he said. ‘Jenny’s going to settle her down. I think we’ll leave her in charge, shall we?’

He waited while Mrs Barrimore said another word or two, and then followed her out of the room. He shut the door and they moved down the passage.

‘Bob,’ she said, ‘what is it? What happened? Has she been attacked?’

‘Probably some lout from the village.’

‘You don’t think – ?’

‘No.’ He looked at her. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry so, Margaret.’

‘I can’t help it. Did you see Keith?’

‘Yes. He’s overdone it tonight. Flat out in the old bar parlour. I’ll get him up to bed.’

‘Does Patrick know?’

‘I’ve no idea.’