Lois did so , deftly removed her scarf and gloves and followed her friend into the house .sx Bertie and Robert were in the living-room which , despite the bright fire , had a cold , unused appearance , natural enough considering that Bertie preferred the kitchen and Joan was always too busy to sit down anywhere .sx Lois's arrival seemed to warm and enliven the atmosphere , and , as Joan had predicted , there were no gaps in the conversation .sx She was not in the least self-conscious and so obviously bubbling over with youthful high spirits that the two men could be almost seen to thaw in her presence .sx Before she came , there had been a slight stiffness , due chiefly to the fact that they were practically strangers with little in common .sx Joan brought in tea , tiny , diamond-shaped sandwiches and cake .sx Waiting on the others , she was a little hurt by their attitude .sx Bertie , as usual , expected to have everything done for him and Robert's attention was given to Lois .sx Every now and then he would turn to Joan , including her in the conversation , but she could not help feeling that he regarded her as a mere child , the little girl who had been the Rose Queen- even though he had forgotten her !sx Whereas , he treated Lois in a subtly different manner .sx More like a woman , thought Joan , though she was three years younger than herself .sx It must always be like that , she supposed .sx The pretty ones got everything !sx And Lois was essentially feminine , although it would have been unfair to dismiss her as a mere flirt .sx She was interested in men , her looks and manner aroused their interest .sx 'And I,' thought Joan , 'am interested only in Robert .sx As for my looks , they don't amount to a row of pins in contrast with what Lois has to offer .sx ' After tea , they sat round the fire .sx When Bertie had visualised Joan taking Robert on a tour of the property , he had forgotten how short the afternoons were .sx Darkness was already gathering , and when it became necessary for Joan to excuse herself in order to feed the hens , there was still no chance for him to be alone with Lois .sx Robert was left to play third whether he liked it or not .sx Apparently he did .sx He and Lois were getting on splendidly together .sx " I thought you were a hermit , Mr. Hepworth .sx Joan says you've been away , but I pictured you shut up at Silverstone , the windows shuttered , the tradesmen leaving just enough food outside the back door .sx " Robert looked at her with amusement .sx " Are you disappointed ?sx " " Quite the reverse , but I do wish you were married .sx " Robert laughed outright .sx " You're a bit young to be a match-maker .sx It's a favourite hobby of those who can't- well , match themselves !sx " " Oh , I don't bother about most people , but if you had a wife , it would be such fun .sx She would be living in the largest house for miles , and she'd give lovely parties and everything would be gay .sx Larchwood is a bit flat , you know .sx My stepmother plays bridge and that's awful .sx You should see their faces , as solemn as if they were at a funeral and if you dare interrupt they chop your head off .sx There are the church bazaars , too , and outings and amateur theatricals and the Women's Institute , but nothing can be compared to the parties your wife would give .sx " Bertie was frowning at her , afraid that Robert would imagine she was giving him too broad a hint .sx It was a bit much the way she was carrying on , he reflected .sx Of course , she was so sweet and innocent she didn't realise she might be giving a false impression .sx " Lois works at Mrs. Harris's Dress Shop in Waverley , " he told Robert .sx " I expect she's thinking how good it would be for trade if there was a touch more social life here .sx She's gifted at her job .sx " He glanced at her with pride , glad to show her in a different light from the one produced by her own scatter-brained chatter .sx Lois threw up her pretty little soft hands in a gesture of protest .sx " You ought to hear Mrs. Harris's opinion of me !sx The things I forget !sx The things I don't do !sx She'd have fired me long ago if it wasn't for my figure .sx I can model clothes , you see .sx She has to admit they look better on me than on any of the other girls , and that makes the customers more inclined to give an order .sx " Feeling a trifle out of his depth , Robert said :sx " Do you like your job , Miss Wade ?sx " " I would if the clothes were real .sx " Robert floundered deeper than ever , and , seeing his expression of bewilderment , she added :sx " Mrs. Harris has to please her customers and they're mostly farmers' wives or just the locals .sx Not that she could fly higher .sx She hasn't got it in her .sx But , if I never marry , I shall try to get a job in London , modelling .sx I get fed up with ordinary clothes , garments .sx I'd like a real creation .sx " Her eyes were large and dreamy as if gazing upon some celestial vision .sx How odd women were , thought Robert , amazed at her reverence for what he considered so trivial .sx Bertie , however , pounced on one sentence of hers .sx " How d'you mean if you never marry ?sx Of course you'll marry .sx There isn't any never about it .sx " At this moment , Joan re-entered the room .sx Tom had managed to escape having to accompany his wife to evening service , and , in what Joan considered a most touching way , had insisted on finishing all the final chores .sx " You run along and enjoy yourself with your friends , Miss Sutton .sx It's not often you get the chance of wearing a nice red dress instead of your old blue trousers .sx Apron over it's all right with chicken , but , with the old sow there's bound to be trouble .sx Rub herself against you as likely as not , and then where will you be ?sx " " Rolling in the mud , I expect , Tom , " she responded , laughingly .sx " That's egg-zactly what I meant .sx You go indoors and keep yourself nice and clean for once .sx " Obeying him thankfully , Joan slung her apron on to a peg , shed her rubber boots in favour of high-heeled black shoes and combed her hair in front of the small mirror in the kitchen .sx A nice red dress , Tom had said .sx Probably that was how it looked in his eyes , and she had herself chosen to wear it in preference to her blue woollen or the tweeds , believing , hoping- even though rather shamefacedly- that Robert would notice her and think she was pretty .sx The blue suited her better , bringing out the colour of her eyes , but she knew she must do something to distinguish herself if possible .sx Lois was so fascinating that whether she wished it or not she was always a powerful rival .sx The deep red colour of this dress would surely procure its wearer a little attention .sx During tea , however , Joan realised that she might just as well have worn her ancient corduroy trousers , or swathed herself in a red blanket !sx There wasn't a man in the world who would have given her a second glance while Lois was in the room .sx She heaved a sigh , then laughed at herself for being so silly and self-pitying .sx It was her own fault for inviting Robert on a day when Lois would be there , and , instead of standing about , feeling sorry for herself , she ought to be doing something to help poor Bertie .sx He must be itching to get rid of the other man .sx Entering the living-room , Joan put forward the first excuse she could think of to ensure that her brother might have his coveted few minutes alone with the girl he loved .sx " Mr. Hepworth- I mean Robert- I wonder if you'd mind coming upstairs to look at a damp patch we've got .sx I thought- while you're here .sx . " He rose at once , but she saw the surprise he could not altogether hide .sx Although technically the owner , his father's old bailiff performed all that was necessary from a landlord .sx He followed Joan up to the next floor , without comment .sx Meanwhile , she was racking her brains for a means of delaying him , and , at the same time , was wondering where to take him .sx There were three bedrooms , Bertie's , the one where she slept and which had formerly belonged to Uncle Greg , and a tiny spare room , kept sacred for the infrequent visitor .sx Avoiding all these , she led him up the remaining few stairs to the loft , flicking on lights as she went .sx " I'm sorry to take you away from the fire .sx " " I'm not a hot-house plant , I shan't wither .sx Where's the damp you mentioned ?sx " Joan glanced wildly about her .sx There was an old couch whose upholstery needed repairing , two tin trunks , a large lithograph of Canterbury Cathedral in a hideous frame and some cardboard boxes .sx The walls were white-washed and the ceiling innocent of any stain .sx Blushing scarlet , she stammered :sx " There isn't any d-damp .sx " " Then why the blazes did you say there was ?sx " " I- I just wanted- people sometimes like to be alone together- please try to understand .sx " Raising her eyes to his , she saw that he was looking at her with an expression of contempt .sx " I believe I do understand , " he said .sx " Well , if you really want it , you can have it .sx " Before she realised what he meant , he caught her by the shoulders , drawing her towards him .sx She had an instant's glimpse of grey eyes , hard as steel , then his lips were on hers .sx For one fleeting second , her senses reeled and a sweet thrill ran through every nerve .sx Then she had wrenched herself free , her cheeks burning , her eyes bright with unshed angry tears .sx " How dare you !sx " she gasped .sx " Very easily .sx You've never taken your eyes off me the whole afternoon , yesterday you managed to fling yourself into my arms- I thought it was an accident at the time , I admit , but in face of this , I'm not so sure .sx " " You conceited idiot !sx " exclaimed Joan , furiously .sx " No , I don't flatter myself it's my superior charms which turned your head .sx I can imagine how bored you must get here , but you shouldn't play with fire , you might get the wrong man .sx " " I have , " she retorted .sx " I don't know anyone who could have behaved so abominably .sx It was an accident yesterday , I fell over my shopping bag .sx " " At the very moment when I happened to be there to catch you .sx I suppose you'll tell me next that staring at me all afternoon was merely the natural anxiety of a hostess waiting to pour out the second cup of tea .sx " Robert was speaking as unkindly as he could , driven to it by a frightful suspicion that he had made an unforgivable mistake .sx " If you're so innocent , " he went on , " show me the damp patch on the wall- or would you prefer me to search the ceiling ?sx " Joan positively stamped her foot with rage .sx " There isn't a damp patch .sx It was an excuse to get you out of the room .sx " " Ah , now we're getting at the truth , " he interposed , sarcastically .sx " Will you listen to me and stop interrupting !sx The reason why I wanted to take you away from the others is that my brother's in love with Lois .sx He never gets a chance of being alone with her and I thought- oh , never mind , you'd never understand .sx Think what you like of me .sx Why should I care ?sx You're only a stranger .sx Besides , I've done what I wanted to .sx They are alone together .sx " She spoke with an air of triumph which had very little to do with her true feelings .sx For one dreadful moment she had longed to slap his face , just as hard as she possibly could .sx Now , all she wanted was to drop on to the beastly old broken couch in the corner and sob her heart out .sx Robert spoke apologetically .sx " I'm sorry .sx I've made an appalling mistake , I see that now .sx " " Sorry !sx " she repeated , derisively .sx