Read Online Sister of the Housemaster by Eleanor Farnes - Free Book Online Page A

exceptions, they did keep together all the evening, having supper together, sitting out together, exchanging comments on the other guests, feeling delightfully at home simply because they had each other. Once or twice Ingrid went to Sylvia ’ s side to see if she was all right, but it was obvious that Ingrid was not wanted. Sylvia was holding court. Pamela had introduced nearly everybody to her, and she had no lack of company. On one of these little visits, Ingrid was claimed by Patrick.
    “ I haven ’ t been doing my duty, ” he said. “ Will you dance? ”
    “ Thank you, no, ” said Ingrid “ I don ’ t want to be anybody ’ s duty. ”
    “ Forgive me — an unhappy figure of speech. Wi l l you give me the pleasure? ”
    “ You have raised a doubt in my mind, ” said Ingrid. “ I can ’ t be sure now that it would be a pleasure. ”
    A glint appeared in his eye.
    “ Contrary girl, ” he said, “ come and dance. ”
    As he had taken her by the hand, and was pulling her gently away from Sylvia, she had no choice. He put his arm about her and began to dance. She was slender and supple, but so were most of the girls here. She was beautiful in her white dress, but there were dresses even more beautiful, from the salons of London and Paris. Yet there was something about her that specially pleased him — was it her complete lack of an attempt to impress him? or the sweet, washed smell of her hair? or the fragrance of her red rosebuds? or the silence with which she gave herself up to the dance?
    “ We must do it again later, ” he said, but they did not do it again, When next she saw him, he was looking for Arnold, because Sylvia was tired and wanted to go home, and Patrick also thought she had had enough.
    “ I can quickly drive her home, ” said Patrick, “ if you will tell Arnold where we have gone. I can ’ t find him anywhere. ”
    “ He is probably closeted in some little back room, with a few precious cronies, having absorbing discussions. But if you are taking Sylvia home, I ought to come too. She can ’ t get to bed without help. ”
    “ Can ’ t I find that nice Everton girl to help? ”
    “ Oh, she will be in bed now. No, I can easily come with you, and Laurence can find Arnold and tell him what has happened. ”
    Laurence would rather have been going with Ingrid, but since somebody must tell Arnold, he agreed to find him. He helped Patrick get Sylvia to the car, touched Ingrid ’ s hand in good night, and watched Patrick drive away.
    “ Oh, ” said Sylvia on a long sigh, “ I haven ’ t enjoyed anything so much for years. It was a great treat. I met so many interesting people, and everybody was so sweet and sympathetic. Dr. Maxwell was utterly wrong about it — I feel I ’ ve had a real tonic. I ’ m tired now, of course, but it ’ s been really lovely. ”
    “ You must stay in bed tomorrow and rest, ” said Ingrid.
    “ Yes, I will probably do that, ” At the moment, however, Sylvia was too stimulated to rest or even to be quiet. She chattered all the way home, and Ingrid, thinking that she probably would not sleep, persuaded her to have a sleeping tablet when she was in bed. Then she went back to the living-room where Patrick was waiting for her.
    “ Are we going back to the dance? ” he asked her.
    Ingrid looked at the clock. It was well past midnight.
    “ I don ’ t think I will. It will be after o n e when we get there. You go. ”
    “ There isn ’ t any hurry. Let us have a drink. ” He had drawn together the ashes of the fire, while she was helping Sylvia, and had put on one or two logs, so that now there was a cheerful blaze. He brought her a glass of wine, and toasted her from the other side of the fire.
    “ I was sorry to deprive your escort of the chance of bringing you home, ” said Patrick.
    “ It didn ’ t matter, ” replied Ingrid.
    “ I hope you enjoyed your evening. ”
    “ Very much. It makes a delightful change. All this. ” She spread her