Alwynne jumped. It was not the answer she had expected. "But--but you must write to me," she stammered. "How shall I know about you, if you don't write to me?" He was silent. A new idea struck Alwynne. "D'you mean--you don't want to hear from me either?" she asked incredulously. "I think it would be better," he said. "Oh, Roger--why? Aren't you going to be friends?" Alwynne was looking alarmed. "I wonder," he began, with elaborate patience, "if you could contrive, without straining yourself, to look at things from my point of view--for a moment--only a moment?" "That's mean. You make me feel a beast." "That won't hurt you----" "Roger!" "Alwynne?" "You're being very rude." "You kick at the privileges of friendship already? I knew you would. Let's drop it, Alwynne. You've got your good lady: you're quite satisfied. I've not got you: I'm not. So the best thing I can do is to go back to Dene and forget about you." "If you can," said Alwynne's widening, indignant eyes. "After all," he said meditatively, "you're a dear, but you aren't the only woman in the world, are you?" "Oh, no," said Alwynne. "I might go back to America," he said, "for a time. I've heaps of friends out there." "Oh?" said Alwynne. "Yes, I shall get over it," he concluded comfortably. "You mustn't worry, my child. Well, good-bye again--wish me good luck, Alwynne." "Good luck," said Alwynne. He took up his hat--looked at her--smiled a little, and walked to the door. But before he could open it, he felt a touch on his arm. "Roger," said a soft and wheedling voice, "wouldn't you _like_ to write to me? Now and then, Roger?" He dissented with admirable gravity. "All right! Don't then!" cried Alwynne wrathfully. She turned her back on him and sat down. The luncheon-bell tinkled across the ensuing pause, like a peal of puckish laughter. CHAPTER XLIII Elsbeth's voice, raised tactfully at the further end of the passage, warned them of her approach. Said Alwynne over her shoulder-- "Anyhow, you must stay to lunch now, Elsbeth would be furious if you went. She'll say I've driven you away or something. Unless you want to get me into another row?" She spoke ungraciously enough, for she disliked having to ask a favour of him at such a juncture; but she disliked even more the notion of a _tête-à-tête_ lunch with Elsbeth. Elsbeth, by right of aunthood, would ask questions, demand confession.... Elsbeth, she knew instinctively, would be on Roger's side.... She told herself that she did not mind being bullied by Roger, because, after all, it was Roger's affair; but she would not be otherwise interfered with.... Elsbeth had a way of putting you in the wrong.... She would rather not talk with Elsbeth until she had seen Clare.... Clare would fortify her.... If only Roger would keep Elsbeth occupied till she got away to Clare.... "You must stay, you know," she repeated uneasily.