Part 69 (1/2)
”We've had rather a scene, and it's been a bit too much for her,” he said.
”So I see,” said Gwenda. She had not greeted Mary or her father.
”If you could persuade her to go upstairs to bed----”
”I've told you I won't go till he comes,” said Ally.
She sat down on the sofa as a sign that she was going to wait.
”Till who comes?” Gwenda asked.
She stared at the three with a fierce amazement. And they were abashed.
”She doesn't know, Steve,” said Mary.
”I certainly don't,” said Gwenda.
She sat down beside Ally.
”Has anybody been bullying you, Ally?”
”They've all been bullying me except Steven. Steven's been an angel.
He doesn't believe what they say. Papa says I'm a shameful girl, and Mary says I took Jim Greatorex from Essy. And they think----”
”Never mind what they think, darling.”
”I must protest----”
The Vicar would have burst out again but that his son-in-law restrained him.
”Better leave her to Gwenda,” he said.
He opened the door of the study. ”Really, sir, I think you'd better.
And you, too, Mary.”
And with her husband's compelling hand on her shoulder Mary went into the study.
The Vicar followed them.
As the door closed on them Alice looked furtively around.
”What is it, Ally?” Gwenda said.
”Don't you know?” she whispered.
”No. You haven't told me anything.”
”You don't know why I sent for you? Can't you think?”