want to go any further with you — leave me — ’

‘You don’t even know where you are,’ he said.

‘Oh, don’t bother, I assure you I shall be all right. I’ve got ten shillings in my purse, and that will take me back from anywhere YOU have brought me to.’ She hesitated. The rings were still on her fingers, two on her little finger, one on her ring finger. Still she hesitated.

‘Very good,’ he said. ‘The only hopeless thing is a fool.’

‘You are quite right,’ she said.

Still she hesitated. Then an ugly, malevolent look came over her face, she pulled the rings from her fingers, and tossed them at him.