She had gone before he realized that she had not said where she was going. Where was she going? ‘Looie!’ called Uncle Preston, opening the front door. The autumn drifted in, and he shut the door quickly. He could ask her when she came back. Auntie Loo, meanwhile, with a very sober look on her little round face, had trotted to a telephone kiosk which was just round the corner. She dialled a number, and waited.

‘Hullo,’ said a young and rather impatient voice.

‘Sophia, is that you, dear?’

‘Oh, Auntie Loo. I’m so sorry; I thought you were some ghastly person.’

‘I’m sorry to disturb you, dear, but I only heard your news this evening from your uncle, and I wanted to tell you how very sorry I am, dear. I’m speaking from a call box, not from home. I came out specially, just to tell you.’

‘Oh, Auntie Loo, you are a lamb. It’s all right, really, don’t worry.’

‘What are you going to do, dear? You mustn’t mind my asking. Don’t tell me if you’d rather not.’

‘Well, I’ve got a rather nice room in Fitzjames’s Avenue. It isn’t on the Heath, of course, but it’s quite near, and I shall move in one evening next week. I can’t stay on here. It’s too expensive for one person. Celia’s mother is coming back next month, and she and Celia are going to let the house Celia’s in now, and live in the cottage for a bit.’

‘Is it really a nice room, dear?’

‘Oh very. Two big windows, and lime trees outside, and I shall paint the floor green. Oh, and Auntie Loo, what do you think, this really is rather nice. An owl lives in the back garden.’

‘An owl, dear?’

‘Yes. I went in last night to leave some of my things, because I’m moving in by degrees, and it was nearly dark, and the moon was coming up. And when I went over to the window to look out, there was something big and white sitting on a branch just under the window and two huge eyes looking up at me. We stared at each other for quite a long time, and then he suddenly floated off like a shadow. It was lovely.’

‘He will keep the mice away for you, dear. Well, I hope you will get moved in comfortably. That’s all, dear. I just wanted to tell you.’

‘Thank you very much, Auntie Loo. It’s awfully kind of you. You are a pet. Goodbye.’

‘Goodbye, dear.’

Sophia put the receiver back with a warm feeling for Auntie Loo in her heart and a disagreeable consciousness that the news of their break-up was by now all over the family.

Silly Francis, who had to boast to silly little Angela and give everything away! She, Sophia, had exercised self-control after her one wretched outburst of a week ago, and had spoken to no one about their decision, except Celia, with whom she had spent the night of the row. She had scarcely seen her brothers, but when she did they were all careful to be extra kind and thoughtful of one another’s feelings.