baby in some ways: clocked socks to match his ties, and
astonishing adventures in jewellery, and so on. Oh yes, I knew
him very well indeed when I was a girl. Mr. and Mrs. Hyde were
among the last of the old set who kept up with us after father
was turned out of his clubs. I've stayed at Farringay."

"You never told me that!"

"I never thought of telling you. Lawrence hasn't been near us
since we came to Wanhope and I don't recollect your ever
mentioning his name. You see I tell you now."

"How old were you when you stayed at Farringay?"

"Twenty-two. Lawrence and I are the same age."

"And you knew him well, did you?"

"We were great friends," said Mrs. Clowes, tossing a lump of
sugar out of the window to a lame jackdaw. She had many such
pensioners, alike in a community of misfortune. "And, yes,
Berns, you're right, we flirted a little--only a little: wasn't
it natural? It was only for fun, because we were both young and
it was such heavenly weather--it was the Easter before war broke
out. No, he didn't ask me to marry him! Nothing was farther
from his mind."

"Did he kiss you?"

Laura slowly and smilingly shook her head. "Am I, Yvonne?"