‘Com - - - -ing.’
‘Bring it in, Jones.’
‘Yes, Mrs Gandell.’
He served them both.
‘Here she is now,’ he said. ‘And by the way, Mrs Gandell, I found this letter under the door.’
‘Ah!’ and she cried out, ‘It’s Mr Prothero, Jones. Think of that. Coming here next week,’ and she read on, ‘and he’s bringing another guest with him.’
‘How splendid,’ cried Jones. ‘How splendid,’ and they rose and embraced each other, just as Miss Vaughan appeared at the top of the stairs.
‘Serve her.’
‘Yes, Mrs Gandell.’
‘Good evening, Miss Vaughan.’
‘Evening, Mrs Gandell.’
‘Sorry you were not in to lunch today. Hope you’re better now.’
Jones hovered, served, bent low, smiled, and Miss Vaughan sat right back in her chair.
‘I am quite all right now, Mrs Gandell. Thank you. I had some lunch at the Blue Bird Cafe, and after that I went for a long walk by the sea.’
‘How nice,’ Mrs Gandell said, and concentrated on her supper, Jones likewise.
‘You like the sea, Miss Vaughan?’
‘Love the sea.’
‘I hope you’ll enjoy your supper, Miss Vaughan.’
Miss Vaughan looked across the room, smiled, and nodded gravely, then continued her meal.
‘Mr Prothero is coming next week,’ Mrs Gandell said.
‘Indeed!’
‘And bringing a friend, too.’
‘How nice for you,’ Miss Vaughan replied.
Mrs Gandell leaned across to Jones, and whispered, ‘I’m still annoyed with her, Jones.’
‘Of course, quite right. Just wasting the food, that’s all. The day isn’t a bad penny after all, Mrs Gandell. Two guests coming next week. Things are looking up.’
He waited for a response, but none came. ‘But they really are,’ he said. ‘You’re not eating, Mrs Gandell.’
‘I think I’ll go up, Jones,’ she said, ‘I’ve rather a headache. I shall leave my faithful servant to do what is necessary, and don’t forget to lock up.’
‘Of course.’
When she rose, he rose, when she walked across the room, he followed.
She stopped at the Vaughan table, looked severely at her guest, took a vacant chair, and sat down. ‘You don’t mind?’ she asked.
Miss Vaughan smiled, and said, ‘Certainly not, Mrs Gandell.’
‘Your supper all right?’
‘Yes, thank you.’
‘Good. Then please, another time, let me know in advance if you are not coming in to a meal.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Miss Vaughan said, and Mrs Gandell got up, and again Jones was behind her. He watched her climb and vanish.
He went back to his table, and finished his supper. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Miss Vaughan. She had taken off her spectacles and was cleaning them.
‘Coffee, Jones,’ she called.
‘Certainly.’
He brought the coffee, and served her.
‘That’s the very first time I’ve seen you with your glasses really off, Miss Vaughan,’ he said, but she made no reply.
