They had not come again. That time had remained unblurred by any subsequent return in a different mood, with more companions, in another weather or season. But Judith had thought, while she nodded agreement: ‘Some day, when I’m much older, I’ll come back alone and think of her; and then perhaps write and say: do you remember? Or perhaps not, in case she has forgotten.’ And now, it seemed, far sooner even than Judith had feared, Jennifer was forgetting everything. They had meant to go away together during the summer vacation; go to Brittany, and bathe and walk and read: but in the end Jennifer’s don had said cold things regarding Jennifer’s progress, and requested her to attend college during the Long. Judith had gone on a reading party with three of the circle, and written Jennifer long letters which were answered briefly and at rare intervals. But that was not surprising. Jennifer’s letters had always been spasmodic, if passionately affectionate. Then the letters had ceased altogether. Judith had written asking if they could not spend September together, and Jennifer had answered in five lines, excusing herself. She was going to shoot in Scotland in September. And then the third year had started, with everything as it had always been, or seeming so, for a few moments; and then in one more moment shivered to pieces. She would not stay behind alone, after the others had gone, to say good-night. She ceased to talk with abandonment and excitement, her eyes shining to see you listening, to feel you understanding. There seemed nothing to say now. In particular, she would not speak of the Long. It was, of course, Mabel who was the first to hint of ill-tidings. Eating doughnuts out of a bag, late one night, during one of Judith’s charity visits, she said: ‘Has that Miss Manners been up lately?’ ‘Who’s Miss Manners?’ ‘Why--that Miss Manners, Jennifer’s friend, who stayed with her so much during the Long.’ ‘Oh yes----’ ‘I was sure you must have heard about her, because they seemed such very great friends. They were always about together and always up to some lark.’ She gave a snigger. ‘We used to wonder, we really did, how long it would be before Jennifer got sent down, the way they used to go on, coming in so late and all. But somehow Jennifer never gets found out, does she?’ Another snigger. ‘What a striking-looking girl she is.’ ‘Who?’ ‘Miss Manners.’ ‘Oh yes.... I’ve never seen her. Only photographs.’ ‘Everybody said what a striking pair they made.... I expect she’ll be up soon again, don’t you?’ ‘I don’t know at all,’ said Judith. ‘I expect so.’ Mabel looked solemn. ‘The wrestling matches they used to have out there on the lawn! I used to watch them from my window. I wonder they didn’t.... I really wonder ... any of the don.... It looked so ... throwing each other about like that.... It’s not the sort of thing you expect--quite, is it? I mean....’