"My God!Who was that?"
Holly too was on her feet.
"Jolly,I expect,"she whispered.
Val clenched fists and resolution.
"All right!"he said,"I don't care a bit now we're engaged,"and striding towards the curtains,he drew them aside.There at the fireplace in the hall stood Jolly,with his back elaborately turned.Val went forward.Jolly faced round on him.
"I beg your pardon for hearing,"he said.
With the best intentions in the world,Val could not help admiring him at that moment;his face was clear,his voice quiet,he looked somehow distinguished,as if acting up to principle.
"Well!"Val said abruptly,"it's nothing to you.""Oh!"said Jolly;"you come this way,"and he crossed the hall.
Val followed.At the study door he felt a touch on his arm;Holly's voice said:
"I'm coming too."
"No,"said Jolly.
"Yes,"said Holly.
Jolly opened the door,and they all three went in.Once in the little room,they stood in a sort of triangle on three corners of the worn Turkey carpet;awkwardly upright,not looking at each other,quite incapable of seeing any humour in the situation.
Val broke the silence.