“I don’t see that it’s out of the question. The car is going in; it’s only sense to use it. I won’t be going again for days and Janet wants the books and things.”

Gladys patted and pulled at Iris’ bed things, then she seemed to come to a decision.

“You’re quite right, Donald; as a matter of fact, I think I’ll take advantage of the car going in and come with you too.”

Iris did not lift her head from her drawing, but her voice was reproachful.

“Who’s going to give me my tea?”

“Mrs. Honeywell, of course.”

Iris raised her eyes.

“You said she was leaving early.”

Gladys flushed; she was behaving like a fool, but she could not stop herself.

“Surely you can wait for tea until we come back.”

Iris looked anxious.

“But I’d be all alone up here. Nobody wouldn’t hear if I called; burglars might come, or a German.”

Donald kissed her.

“You shan’t be left, twopence.”

“No, I’ll stay,” said Janet.

Donald looked exasperated.

“What’s the point of that? It’s you who want to get her lesson things.”

“And you did say you were rushed off your feet,” Iris reminded Gladys, “so I don’t see how you can go.”

A dull crimson flooded Gladys’ face. She said nothing, but as she moved to the door she gave Janet a look which said as clearly as if she had spoken, “So that’s your game, is it? Very well then, we’re enemies from now on.”

Janet turned impulsively to Donald.

“I’d really rather stop . . .”

His voice rang with impatience.

“You’re coming. Never in my life did I hear such a fuss about a simple shopping expedition.”

Section 9

“Is there only one town in these parts?” Janet asked Donald.

Donald slowed his car for some cows to be driven through a gate.

“To us there is. It’s our market town.” He smiled. “You think it a one-horse little place, I expect, but in Worsingfold we think it a metropolis, and a bit alarming.”

“Alarming!”

He turned to her, his eyes twinkling.

“We look on it as a den of vice. It’s got a dance-hall! You want to watch your step in a place that goes in for things like that.”

Janet leant back in her seat; she felt easy and relaxed. She forgot that she and Donald were ever at cross purposes. He was speaking in a gentle, laughing way which fitted in with the purr of the car, and the white dust of the road, and the passing hedges starred with early dog-roses.

“Does Worsingfold go and dance there?”

Donald grinned.