CHAPTER IXGoing in through the Annings’ front door at ten o’clock that night, Alan Field encountered Darsie coming out of her office. He smiled and said,
“Punctual to the moment, you see.”
The smile met with no response. She said, “Thank you. Goodnight,” and turned back into the little room. She went across to the bookcase and appeared to be selecting a novel.
Alan’s smile deepened as he followed her, closing the door behind him.
“Don’t I get a few kind words?”
She turned round, her face quite blank.
“I haven’t got anything to say to you, and you know it. You are only here because——”
He broke in with a laugh.
“Because I pointed out that it would make a good deal of talk if you turned me away. The house isn’t full, and it would certainly give Esther and all the rest of them up at Cl
