Breathless, half-choking, she told the dreadful story.

"Of course, we can't have our party, can we ?" she pleaded.

"The band and everybody arriving.

They'd hear us, mother; they're nearly neighbours!" To Laura's astonishment her mother behaved just like Jose; it was harder to bear because she seemed amused.

She refused to take Laura seriously.
"But, my dear child, use your common sense.