Page:Dark Hester.djvu/121

‘I am trying to make you own you are a companion in misfortune. One likes to have a companion. One likes to feel one isn’t alone, you know.’

‘Yes, I know,’ said Monica. And the strange fact was that she and Captain Ingpen were together and not alone. Let it rest at that for the moment. ‘And now, what do you think of my house?’ she said. Oddley Green was reached and they were approaching her cottage. ‘It’s very cheerful, isn’t it?

‘Damnably cheerful,’ said Ingpen, with a laugh almost boyish. ‘I think I like mine better. It keeps up no pretences at all events.’

‘But I live up to my pretences,’ said Monica, also laughing. ‘I am cheerful, you know.’

‘Yes. I know about your cheerfulness.’ His eye rested on her with the glint of its challenge. ‘You’re not going to ask me into it, I suppose, lonely as I am? You’ve had enough of me.’

‘For the moment I have: but I am going to ask you if you care to dine on Saturday night—and play bridge afterwards. My son and his wife are coming.’

‘The father and mother of the grandchild?’

‘Yes; my only son.’

‘Very dear, then, I suppose? And are you fond