"Well, I haven't got any. But by all accounts I think I should hate 'em in the plural as much as I love 'em in the singular." She blew Elsbeth a kiss. "But if we could find some one--to help us eat up the turkey--and spend the evening--it would be rather jolly, don't you think? It was dullish last year, wasn't it?"
"Was it?" said Elsbeth, with careful brightness. "I'm sorry. I had thought you enjoyed it."
"Oh, why is she so touchy? I didn't mean anything," cried Alwynne within herself. And aloud--
"Oh, I only meant without a tree or anything specially Christmassy----"
"Alwynne," said Elsbeth, with scrupulous patience, "it was you who suggested not having one."
"I know, I know, I know, I know!" cried Alwynne, in a fever.
"Elsbeth darling, I didn't mean to be rude; I'm a beast. And I didn't mean it wasn't nice last year. I only meant--it would be--be a change to have some one--because of the turkey--and I thought, perhaps Clare----"
"Can't you exist for a day without seeing Clare Hartill?" asked Elsbeth, with a wry smile.
Elsbeth stared at her plate. Alwynne edged her chair along the table, till she sat at Elsbeth's elbow. She slid an arm round her neck.
"Elsbeth! Elsbeth, dear! You're not cross, Elsbeth? It's a very big turkey. Do, Elsbeth!"
"Don't you, Elsbeth?" Alwynne's tone was a little anxious.
"Would you care if I didn't?" The pattern of her plate still interested Elsbeth. She was tracing its windings with her fork.
"You silly--it would just spoil everything. That's just it--I would like to get you two fond of each other, only with Clare so busy there's never a chance of your really getting acquainted."
"I knew Clare Hartill long before you did, Alwynne. I knew her as a schoolgirl."
"There you are," said Alwynne, with satisfaction. "That's why--you don't know her properly. Oh, Elsbeth, you must share all my good things, and Clare's the very best of them. Do let her come."
"Oh, no--Clare will be alone--I know, because----" she stopped herself.
"Oh, nothing--only I happen to know," said Alwynne.
"Oh, well, if you won't tell me----" began Elsbeth.
"Oh, I will, I will," cried Alwynne hastily.
"My dear, I don't want to know Miss Hartill's secrets, or yours either," said Elsbeth huffily. But to herself, "Why am I losing my temper over these silly trifles?"