Part 30 (1/2)
”Is that Mr Lane? Oh, forgiveyou at your work I expect you've heard that poor Babs is ill Can you get to see her? She'd like it sohis head at the telephone
”I'm afraid it's impossible I've been away for Christe a moment? Look in on your way home”
”I'm very sorry; it's out of the question” He paused and repeated lahed andin reducing him to a state of suppressed irritation which spoiled his work for theHe had meant to call in Ryder Street before luncheon to collect his letters, but he could not trust himself to face the appeal which he kneould find there It was hard enough to do the right thing without being incited on all hands _not_ to do it--and in the name of affection and charity!
In the afternoon an unfamiliar voice enquired for hi Mr Lane, I want you to do soed this evening?”
Eric could hardly believe that Barbara had gone the length of appealing to hi with me,” he improvised tentatively
”Oh, can you possibly put him off? I'll tell you why My husband and I have to dine out, and that ood patient, and, if you could keep her a foolish That's what she's threatening at present I feel it's very unfair to ask you to change all your plans”
However unfair, she asked him with an assurance which shewed that she would not take a refusal lightly Eric srimly to hiladly spend half an hour with Barbara! As if the Crawleighs could not have cancelled their own engagement! It was transparent, but he sged to the house against his will and better judgement
”I'd coly ”The trouble is that I've invited this et away from here till half-past seven at earliest I'll doon you, Mr Lane”
Dinner, but no one to share it with hiht He telephoned at seven to say that he ht be a little late and set out for Berkeley Square Barbara was alone when he arrived, and he entered her rooine Sybil's receiving male visitors in her bedroom, and he was shy to find hi in a blue silk kimono with the Persian kitten asleep on a chair by her side and two tables subed by Madonna lilies As he hesitated on the threshold, she smiled wistfully and at the sa
”I was--very sorry to hear you were ill, Babs,” he said
”I've waited for you so long! Won't you kissnot to have heard her
”What is it? A chill? Your mother said---- No, I don't think she told me what it was”
Restraint faltered with every hesitating word, and Barbara pushed the kitten's cushi+on on to the floor
”Sit down, darling,” she begged
”Ihis watch
”Who have you got dining with you?” He hesitated ”Any one?”
”As a matter of fact, I've not I lied to your mother You see I didn't want to ht again”
He was still standing; but, without noticing, he had drawn nearer to the bed, and she pulled hiently into the chair
”Haven't you h was bitter ”I don't see how it's to be avoided, though And we only ony The infernal story's spread to Lashmar now”
Barbara's lips curled assertively