Alice bustled from room to room at The Paddocks, rearranging the flowers that she had already done in the morning, flicking imaginary specks of dust from the tables and shaking the curtains so that they fell into neater and more dignified folds.
She was determined that everything should be in spick-and-span order for Norman and his bride.
When Carlotta did arrive, dressed in pale grey with furs to match and a huge buttonhole of crimson carnations pinned to her lapel, Alice knew that Norman was changed.
Something had upset him, something had driven away the expression of happiness that during the month before his Wedding had been frequently in his eyes.
She wondered what the matter was. Only when there had been a strike at the Works or a breakdown involving loss of life had she known hi
