f hot fat with a sensation of
physical sickness. For she had never possessed a robust appetite, and
until this last year had scarcely ever sat down to a meal prepared by
herself: so she did not bring to the task that interest which a good
appetite or a natural taste for cooking will give even to those who
have had no previous experience.

However, it had to be done, so she went in, catching sight as she
passed through the hall of a roll of music returned by Laura: but it
failed to stir any regret that she was always too tired to practise
nowadays. Leisure--which she had all her life regarded as a right, no
more to be considered than water or air--was hers no longer.

But she had no idea that she was sharing the exact experience of
thousands of women throughout England--throughout Europe: that as she
stood there alone over a stove in a quiet little house in a remote part
of Yorkshire, carrying out the everyday details of her narrow
existence, she was more widely and actually international than the
manual workers themselves.

She only knew that she loathed the smell of frying fat.

_Chapter XIV_

_The Cliff Top_

Caroline had just come back from her tea and stood at the door of the
pay-box, talking to Lillie, who was about to go off duty. The bright
light reflected from the sea shone on the two girls, and on some
children with brown legs and streaming hair who raced along the
promenade.

"Going for a walk?" said Caroline, glancing idly in front of her at the
expanse of dappled water.

"No. Mother has a bad cold and we're full up with visitors. I shall
go straight home."

Then--just at this least expected moment--the thing happened for which
some hidden feeling within her had been so intently waiting all day.
She saw Godfrey standing there as she had pictured, with his broad,
long-fingered hand on the iron bar; the hand so indicative--had she but
known--of the contradictions in his character.

Lillie sat down again to release the clutch, and he passed through to
the promenade. "Oh, lovely afternoon, isn't it?" he said, and walked
briskly away between the neat rows of bedding plants.

The two girls looked after him; at last Lillie said with a slight
giggle: "Seems in a hurry, doesn't he? But I expect he's got his young
lady waiting for him. My word, she'd give him beans if she knew he saw
you home last night, wouldn't she?" A pause, during which Caroline
failed to respond; then, rather shortly: