‘It isn’t right on the hinges.’

‘No,’ said Ursula. ‘And they’re so heavy.’

‘Surprising!’ cried Laura.

‘How do you do,’ sang Hermione, from out of the field, the moment she could make her voice heard. ‘It’s nice now. Are you going for a walk? Yes. Isn’t the young green beautiful? So beautiful — quite burning. Good morning — good morning — you’ll come and see me? — thank you so much — next week — yes — good-bye, g-o-o-d b-y-e.’

Gudrun and Ursula stood and watched her slowly waving her head up and down, and waving her hand slowly in dismissal, smiling a strange affected smile,