"Dudley could probably have gone any other night. Did you ask him?"

Ethel spoke a little quickly, and Doris looked ready with a sharp
retort, when Basil interposed.

"Thursday will be all right, chum. Doris won't leave before six and
you will get in by half-past seven. I shall have nearly two whole
hours in which to do any silly thing I like, without getting scolded";
and his smile was very winsome.

"I don't like you to have to wait so long for your dinner. You always
get faint. Perhaps Dr. Renshaw would see me another evening... I -"

"Oh, nonsense, chum" - in the same cheery voice - "I'll have a tin of
sardines, and eat one every ten minutes until you come."

Ethel let the matter drop, seeing it would please him best, and Doris
retired to their room with a slightly sulky air.

"There always seems to be something to damp it if I am to have a
treat," was her complaint.

"I don't think you will feel damped after you start," Ethel replied
quietly, and they went to bed in silence.





CHAPTER IX