Since Val's advice to him to ask his sister what was the matter between
the two families, so much had happened--Fleur's disclosure in the Green
Park, her visit to Robin Hill, to-day's meeting--that there seemed
nothing to ask. He talked of Spain, his sunstroke, Val's horses, their
father's health. Holly startled him by saying that she thought their
father not at all well. She had been twice to Robin Hill for the
week-end. He had seemed fearfully languid, sometimes even in pain, but
had always refused to talk about himself.
"He's awfully dear and unselfish--don't you think, Jon?"
Feeling far from dear and unselfish himself, Jon answered: "Rather!"
"I think, he's been a simply perfect father, so long as I can remember."
"Yes," answered Jon, very subdued.
"He's never interfered, and he's always seemed to understand. I shall
never forget his letting me go to South Africa in the Boer War when I
was in love with Val."
"That was before he married Mother, wasn't it?" said Jon suddenly.
"Yes. Why?"
"Oh! nothing. Only, wasn't she engaged to Fleur's father first?"
Holly put down the spoon she was using, and raised her eyes. Her stare
was circumspect. What did the boy know? Enough to make it better to tell
him? She could not decide. He looked strained and worried, altogether
older, but that might be the sunstroke.
"There was something," she said. "Of course we were out there, and got
no news of anything." She could not take the risk.
It was not her secret. Besides, she was in the dark about his feelings
now. Before Spain she had made sure he was in love; but boys were boys;
that was seven weeks ago, and all Spain between.
She saw that he knew she was putting him off, and added:
"Have you heard anything of Fleur?"
"Yes."
His face told her, then, more than the most elaborate explanations. So
he had not forgotten!
She said very quietly: "Fleur is awfully attractive, Jon, but you
know--Val and I don't really like her very much."
"Why?"
"We think she's got rather a 'having' nature."
"'Having'? I don't know what you mean. She--she--" he pushed his dessert
plate away, got up, and went to the window.
Holly, too, got up, and put her arm round his waist.
"Don't be angry, Jon dear. We can't all see people in the same light,
can we? You know, I believe each of us only has about one or two people
who can see the best that's in us, and bring it out. For you I think
it's your mother. I once saw her looking at a letter of yours; it was
wonderful to see her face. I think she's the most beautiful woman I ever
saw--Age doesn't seem to touch her."