"Of course I'm glad to see you."

"Why didn't you say so, then, you poor fish? And why didn't you ask me
if I had enjoyed myself in Europe?"

"Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Yes, except that I missed you so much. There! Now we can consider my
lecture on foreign travel finished, and you can go on telling me your
troubles."

Gerald accepted the invitation. He spoke at considerable length, though
with little variety. It appeared definitely established in his mind that
Providence had invented Spanish influenza purely with a view to wrecking
his future. But now he seemed less aloof, more open to sympathy. The
brief thunderstorm had cleared the air. Sally lost that sense of
detachment and exclusion which had weighed upon her.

"Well," said Gerald, at length, looking at his watch, "I suppose I had
better be off."

"Rehearsal?"

"Yes, confound it. It's the only way of getting through the day. Are
you coming along?"

"I'll come directly I've unpacked and tidied myself up."

"See you at the theatre, then."