"Well, come again," she said frankly. "It was fun. I loved it." "I will--
Lord knows I thank you enough--after 252A Madison Avenue it was simply
perfect. And Rose--"
"Well?"
"I'm awful damn sorry. I wish I could help."
He thought she was going to laugh. Instead she turned perfectly grave.
"I wish you could, Ted."
They shook hands--it seemed to Ted with a good deal of effort to do only
that. Then they stood looking at each other.
There was so little between them--only a charm that nobody could say was
even partly real--but somewhere in Ted's brain it said "Elinor" and he
managed to shake hands again and get out of the door.
Mrs. Severance waited several minutes, listening, a faint smile curling
her mouth with intentness and satisfaction. No, this time he wouldn't come
back--nor next time, maybe--but there would be other times---
Then she went into the pantry and started heating water for the dishes
that she had explained reassuringly to Ted they were leaving for
Elizabeth. There was no need at all of Elizabeth's knowing any more than
was absolutely necessary.
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