XI
　　The rain started falling at a quarter to seven. Nevile watched it from the window of his bedroom. He had no further conversation with Kay. They had avoided each other after tea.
　　Dinner that evening was a stilted¹, difficult meal. Nevile was sunk in abstraction; Kay's face had an unusual amount of make-up for her; Audrey sat like a frozen ghost. Mary Aldin did her best to keep some kind of a conversation going and was slightly annoyed with Thomas Royde for not playing up to her better.
　　Hurstall was nervous and his hands trembled as he handed the vegetables.
　　As the meal drew to a close Neville said with elaborate casualness: "Think I shall go over to Easterhead after dinner and look up Latimer. We might have a game of billiards².""Take the latchkey," said Mary. "In case you're back late.""Thanks, I will."
　　They went into the drawing-room, where coffee was served.
　　The turning on of the wireless³ and the news was a welcome diversion.
　　Kay, who had been yawning ostentatiously ever since dinner, said she would go up to bed. She had a headache, she said.
　　"Have you got any aspirin⁴?" asked Mary. "Yes, thank you."Kay left the room.
　　Nevile turned the wireless on to a programme with music. He sat silent on the sofa for some time. He did not look once at Audrey, but sat huddled⁵ up, looking like an unhappy little boy. Against her will, Mary felt quite sorry for him.
　　"Well," he said at last, rousing himself. "Better be off if I'm going." "Are you taking your car or going by ferry?""Oh, ferry. No sense in going a round of fifteen miles. I shall enjoy a bit of a walk.""It's raining, you know."
　　"I know. I've got a Burberry." He went towards the door.
　　"Good night."
　　In the hall Barrett came to him.
　　"If you please, sir, will you go up to Lady Tressilian? She wants to see you specially⁶."Nevile glanced at the clock. It was already ten o'clock.

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