“I believe I’m shocking you. I’m awfully sorry, but I always say the wrong thing. Don’t I, Mums!”

“Yes, darling,” Mrs. Cockburn agreed placidly. “Miss Arden has been telling me that there’s quite a large bridge set here.”

“Then you’ll be happy,” Sarah rejoined. “Mother’s a bridge-fiend,” she told Elizabeth. “I do hope you don’t play?”

“No, I’m too stupid,” Elizabeth answered.

“What a heaven-sent excuse! I’m too bad-tempered. If my partner dared to ask me why I’d led a spade in the second round I’m afraid I should chuck something at him. Cigarette?”

“I don’t smoke,” Elizabeth said, rather regretfully. She thought how lovely it would be to breathe out two long spirals from your nostrils, as Sarah was doing.

She was still dreaming of cigarettes when she walked home with Miss Arden. Miss Arden’s voice intruded on the dream.

“On the whole, quite nice people. I thought Mrs. Cockburn a very sweet woman.”

“Yes,” Elizabeth said.

“The girl is excessively modern, of course, but she’s young yet. I daresay she is less affected when one knows her better.”

Elizabeth was surprised; she had expected a severe diatribe against Sarah, and could not imagine why Aunt Anne was being so lenient.

“Rather a desirable connaissance,” Miss Arden continued. “They seem to be very well connected and to know any amount of interesting people. You must ask Sarah to tea when they have returned my call.”

“I’d like to,” Elizabeth said, brightening. “I wonder whether she’ll come?”

Sarah did come; she told her mother that although Elizabeth was as dull as ditch-water, outside, she rather thought there was something more interesting inside, carefully covered up. She inspected all Elizabeth’s books, tried to discuss Galsworthy with her, and ended by asking her to join the private dance-club to which she belonged.

“Awfully cheery show,” she assured Elizabeth. “A great pal of mine, Lucy Elmsley, runs it, and as she’s a married woman I shouldn’t think your aunt ’ud object to your joining.”

“I should love to! How kind of you to ask me! The only difficulty is the partner. You see, I don’t know many men.”

“Well, roll up at the next meeting—it’s on Friday— and I’ll supply a partner. I think you’d enjoy it.”

“I’m sure I should,” Elizabeth said. “Only I’ll have to ask Aunt Anne. And are you sure it isn’t a dreadful nuisance having to find me a partner?”

“Shouldn’t have offered to if it were,” Sarah said bluntly.