‘But why should you give me an expensive rug? I can manage perfectly well with my old Oxford Turkish.’

‘But may I give it to you? Do let me.’

‘How much did it cost?’

She looked at him, and said:

‘I don’t remember. It was quite cheap.’

He looked at her, his face set.

‘I don’t want to take it, Hermione,’ he said.

‘Do let me give it to the rooms,’ she said, going up to him and putting her hand on his arm lightly, pleadingly. ‘I shall be so disappointed.’

‘You know I don’t want you to give me things,’