Chapter 13

           Somedayspassed,andonemorning,whileJuliawaslyinginbedreadingaplay,theyrangthroughfromthebasementtoaskifshewouldspeaktoMr.Fennell.Thenamemeantnothingtoherandshewasabouttorefusewhenitoccurredtoherthatitmightbetheyoungmanofheradventure.Hercuriosityinducedhertotellthemtoconnecthim.Sherecognizedhisvoice.

           "Youpromisedtoringmeup,"hesaid."Igottiredofwaiting,soI’verungyouupinstead."

           "I’vebeenterriblybusythelastfewdays."

           "WhenamIgoingtoseeyou?"

           "AssoonasIhaveamomenttospare."

           "Whataboutthisafternoon?"

           "I’vegotamatineetoday."

           "Cometoteaafterthematinee."

           Shesmiled.("No,youngfeller-me-lad,youdon’tcatchmeasecondtimelikethat.")

           "Ican’tpossibly,"sheanswered."Ialwaysstayinmydressing-roomandresttilltheeveningperformance."

           "Can’tIcomeandseeyouwhileyou’reresting?"

           Shehesitatedforaninstant.Perhapsthebestthingwouldbetogethimcome;withEviepoppinginandoutandMissPhillipsdueatseven,therewouldbenochanceofanynonsense,anditwouldbeagoodopportunitytotellhim,amiably,becausehewasreallyasweetlittlething,butfirmly,thattheincidentoftheotherafternoonwastohavenosequel.Withafewwell-chosenwordsshewouldexplaintohimthatitwasquiteunreasonableandthathemustobligeherbyerasingtheepisodefromhismemory.

           "Allright.Comeathalf-pastfiveandI’llgiveyouacupoftea."