'
* * * * *
When, a little bit later, Madame Frabelle came in (with a slight perfume
of incense about her, and very full of a splendidly depressing sermon
she had heard), she heartily agreed with Bruce. They both persuaded
Edith to run down on the Monday and stay till Wednesday evening
at least.
'Perhaps we shall never meet again,' said Bruce pleasantly, as Edith,
Dilly and the nurse were starting; 'either the Zeppelins may come while
you're away, or they may set your hotel at Eastcliff on fire. Just the
place for them.'
'Well, if you want me you've only to telephone, and I can be back in a
little more than an hour.'
Madame Frabelle accompanied Edith to the station. She said to her on the
way:
'Do you know, Edith, I'm half expecting a telegram which may take me
away. I have a relative who is anxious for me to go and stay with her,
an aunt. But even if I did go, perhaps you'd let me come back to
you after?'
Edith assented. Somehow she did not much believe either in the telegram
nor the relative. She thought that her friend talked like that so as to
give the impression that she was not a fixture; that she was much sought
after and had many friends, one or two of whom might insist on her
leaving the Ottleys soon.
Pages:
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266