Page:Conflict (1927).pdf/272

 Roger again, filled Sheilah with such a choking sensation of joy, that her intelligence held up a warning hand to her. Better not. Better not. Safer to get into the Ford, about three o'clock, and drive out into the country and tramp miles till supper-time. Oh, well, she wouldn't decide definitely, until after lunch. No harm anyway in fixing up the poor shabby little front room as nicely as possible; and pull out the white ruffles on the new muslin curtains. How like him to call them 'jolly.'

She was busy with the ruffles, when the telephone bell rang again. This surely would be the provision-man. But no. It was Cicely. Just home from her month in the Berkshires. She was in Boston for the day. She hadn't seen Sheilah since her return from Avidon's. She would run out at about half-past two for half an hour, if Sheilah was to be at home.

Luckily it was Friday. All the children remained at school all day on Fridays. Sheilah had an uninterrupted two hours before Cicely was due, to straighten out the apartment, and change her dress, and decide whether or not she'd go for a tramp in the country after Cicely left.

It was a very happy Cicely Morgan who stopped before Sheilah's door that afternoon. There were soft, pleasant lines hovering around her eyes and