He controlled his face.

“Why do women always like something that makes them cry?”

He had nearly said girls, but perceived that it would have been a mistake. Jenny was preening herself. His last minute substitute couldn’t have gone down better. As she continued to discourse upon her favourite books, he was conscious of disappointment. The Heart’s Awakening, Lady Marcia’s Secret, A Sister’s Sacrifice- If these were Rosamond’s choice-He said,

“That’s the sort of thing you like?”

She was flushed and eager.

“Oh, yes! Haven’t you read any of them?”

He shook his head.

“They’re not very much in my line.”

“What a pity! They’re lovely! But it’s so funny, Rosamond doesn’t care for them. She wants me to read dreadfully stuffy things, and why should I if I don’t like them? When I’ve got a Gloria Gilmore I just don’t care about anything in the world- not about my back or anything. Then there’s Mavis la Rue. She ’s marvellous, but Rosamond has got a regular down on her, I can’t think why. She makes you feel as if even dreadful things could be beautiful, if you know what I mean. Rosamond didn’t. And she took Passion for Two away from me even after I’d told her that. I didn’t think she would be so unkind, but she was. And I believe she had a row with Nicholas about letting me have it, because the books haven’t been nearly so exciting ever since.”

So Rosamond was not responsible for Gloria Gilmore. He experienced a ridiculous sense of relief. As he enquired, “Who is Nicholas?” Jenny made a casual gesture.

“Cunningham,” she said briefly. “He works at that place the other side of the village, Dalling Grange. Experiments for aeroplanes, you know-or perhaps you don’t, because it’s all frightfully secret. Aunt Lydia says they’ll blow us all up some day, but I expect she’s thinking about atom bombs. Anyhow I asked Nicholas, and he only laughed and said his lips were sealed.”