'I could tell him we've unexpectedly got some friends coming to stay with us.' 'Yes,' said Ruth eagerly.

'It would be easy enough to make some excuse or other.' As this way of escape presented itself she felt as if a weight had been lifted from her mind, but almost in the same instant she remembered the reasons which had at first led them to think of letting the room, and she added, disconsolately: 'It's foolish for us to go on like this, dear.

We must let the room and it might just as well be him as anyone else.

We must make the best of it, that's all.' Easton stood with his back to the fire, staring gloomily at her.
'Yes, I suppose that's the right way to look at it,' he replied at length.

'If we can't stand it, we'll give up the house and take a couple of rooms, or a small flat--if we can get one.' Ruth agreed, although neither alternative was very inviting.