Chapter 4

           ItwasgettingonforEaster,andJimmieLangtonalwaysclosedhistheatreforHolyWeek.Juliadidnotquiteknowwhattodowithherself;itseemedhardlyworthwhiletogotoJersey.ShewassurprisedtoreceivealetteronemorningfromMrs.Gosselyn,Michael’smother,sayingthatitwouldgivetheColonelandherselfsomuchpleasureifshewouldcomewithMichaeltospendtheweekatCheltenham.WhensheshowedthelettertoMichaelhebeamed.

           "Iaskedhertoinviteyou.IthoughtitwouldbemorepolitethanifIjusttookyoualong."

           "Youaresweet.OfcourseIshalllovetocome."

           Herheartbeatwithdelight.TheprospectofspendingawholeweekwithMichaelwasenchanting.Itwasjustlikehisgoodnaturetocometotherescuewhenheknewshewasatalooseend.Butshesawtherewassomethinghewantedtosay,yetdidnotquiteliketo.

           "Whatisit?"

           Hegavealittlelaughofembarrassment.

           "Well,dear,youknow,myfather’sratherold-fashioned,andtherearesomethingshecan’tbeexpectedtounderstand.OfcourseIdon’twantyoutotellalieoranythinglikethat,butIthinkitwouldseemratherfunnytohimifheknewyourfatherwasavet.WhenIwroteandaskedifIcouldbringyoudownIsaidhewasadoctor."

           "Oh,that’sallright."

           JuliafoundtheColonelamuchlessalarmingpersonthanshehadexpected.Hewasthinandrathersmall,withalinedfaceandclose-croppedwhitehair.Hisfeatureshadaworndistinction.Heremindedyouofaheadonanoldcointhathadbeenincirculationtoolong.Hewascivil,butreserved.