Mademoiselle and she had lunched alone in Lily's sitting-room, and
Mademoiselle had dozed off in her chair afterwards, a novel on her
knee. Lily was wandering about downstairs when the telephone rang,
and she had a quick conviction that it was Louis Akers. It was
only Willy Cameron, however, asking her if she cared to go for a
walk.
"I've promised Jinx one all day," he explained, "and we might as
well combine, if you are not busy."
She smiled at that.
"I'd love it," she said. "In the park?"
"Wait a moment." Then: "Yes, Jinx says the park is right."
His wholesome nonsense was good for her. She drew a long breath.
"You are precisely the person I need to-day," she said. "And come
soon, because I shall have to be back at five."
When he came he was very neat indeed, and most scrupulous as to his
heels being polished. He was also slightly breathless.
"Had to sew a button on my coat," he explained. "Then I found I'd
sewed in one of my fingers and had to start all over again."
Lily was conscious of a change in him. He looked older, she thought,
and thinner. His smile, when it came, was as boyish as ever, but
he did not smile so much, and seen in full daylight he was shabby.
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