Part 40 (2/2)

”Yes, dear,” observed Mrs. Falbe placidly. ”It makes one feel safer. I saw it in the paper, though; I read it.”

Sylvia turned on Michael.

”Have you seen the evening paper?” she asked.

Michael knew what was in her mind.

”I just looked at it,” he said. ”There didn't seem to be much news.”

”No, only reports, rumours, lies,” said Sylvia.

Mrs. Falbe got up. It was her habit to leave the two alone together, since she was sure they preferred that; incidentally, also, she got on better with her book, for she found conversation rather distracting. But to-night Sylvia stopped her.

”Oh, don't go yet, mother,” she said. ”It is very early.”

It was clear that for some reason she did not want to be left alone with Michael, for never had she done this before. Nor did it avail anything now, for Mrs. Falbe, who was quite determined to pursue her reading without delay, moved towards the door.

”But I am sure Michael wants to talk to you, dear,” she said, ”and you have not seen him all day. I think I shall go up to bed.”

Sylvia made no further effort to detain her, but when she had gone, the silence in which they had so often sat together had taken on a perfectly different quality.

”And what have you been doing?” she said. ”Tell me about your day. No, don't. I know it has all been concerned with war, and I don't want to hear about it.”

”I dined with Aunt Barbara,” said Michael. ”She sent you her love. She also wondered why you hadn't been to see her for so long.”

Sylvia gave a short laugh, which had no touch of merriment in it.

”Did she really?” she asked. ”I should have thought she could have guessed. She set every nerve in my body jangling last time I saw her by the way she talked about Germans. And then suddenly she pulled herself up and apologised, saying she had forgotten. That made it worse!

Michael, when you are unhappy, kindness is even more intolerable than unkindness. I would sooner have Lady Barbara abusing my people than saying how sorry she is for me. Don't let's talk about it! Let's do something. Will you play, or shall I sing? Let's employ ourselves.”

Michael followed her lead.

”Ah, do sing,” he said. ”It's weeks since I have heard you sing.”

She went quickly over to the bookcase of music by the piano.

”Come, then, let's sing and forget,” she said. ”Hermann always said the artist was of no nationality. Let's begin quick. These are all German songs: don't let's have those. Ah, and these, too! What's to be done?

All our songs seem to be German.”

Michael laughed.

”But we've just settled that artists have no nationality, so I suppose art hasn't either,” he said.

Sylvia pulled herself together, conscious of a want of control, and laid her hand on Michael's shoulder.

”Oh, Michael, what should I do without you?” she said. ”And yet--well, let me sing.”

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