Part 9 (2/2)

' ”Be bright, dear girl.

If you leave to go to another job, your Nick is going to hear of it and he'll know you're running away.

If you leave, it must be to get married.

' Alethea sat up, scattering her handbag and its contents all over the

floor.

”There, look what you've made me do!

' she declared unfairly.

”We'll pick everything up presently.

Did you hear what I said, Alethea?

' ”Yes--but how can I do that?

I don't know anyone--and besides, I don't want to get married.

' She swallowed.

”Well, you know what I mean, only if it's Nick.

' She added crossly: ”And I don't know why I talk to you like this.

' He ignored everything she had said.

”We'll have to see,” was all he said, and he went on to talk about the

morrow's work.

He was, she decided, very annoying at times, pretending not to hear, probably not listening.

She wished him a rather snappy goodnight and was rendered speechless

when he suddenly pulled her close and kissed her.

When she had her breath back she demanded indignantly: ”What was that for?

' ”A matter of expediency--your Nick came into the hall and it seemed a good idea to give him something to think about.

There's nothing like a little compet.i.tion.

' ”Thank you,” said Alethea.

Young men usually kissed her because they wanted to, Mr van Diederijk apparently did it by way of necessity; she wasn't sure if she minded or not.

She wished him goodnight for a second time and went to her room.

She had hoped to see Nick as she went, but there was no sign of him.

Surely if he had any feeling left for her at all he would have wanted to know why Mr van Diederijk had kissed her?

She sighed; she was wasting time, her pride told her, and the sooner she left the better.

”But I'll not get married,” she told herself out loud.

CHAPTER THREE.

she was of the same mind the next morning and indeed she was of a mind to tell Mr van Diederijk this if she had the opportunity.

But there was no chance to speak to him.

True, he paid a fleeting visit to the ward, elegant and rather awe inspiring in his dark grey suiting and expensive tie, but he was very much the consultant; beyond wis.h.i.+ng him a pleasant good morning, proffering the notes of the case which he wished to see and escorting him to the ward door with an equally pleasant goodbye, Alethea prudently said nothing.

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