This was a direct blow for Gudrun, spoken in a level, toneless voice of callous ease.

‘Yes,’ he replied, quite colourlessly.

‘I’m awf’lly sorry you aren’t coming round to the flat. You aren’t very faithful to your fwiends.’

‘Not very,’ he said.

She nodded them both ‘Good-night’, and went back slowly to her own set. Gudrun watched her curious walk, stiff and jerking at the loins. They heard her level, toneless voice distinctly.

‘He won’t come over; — he is otherwise engaged,’ it said. There was more laughter and lowered voices and mockery at the table.

‘Is she a friend of yours?’