[The Splendid Folly by Margaret Pedler]@TWC D-Link book
The Splendid Folly

CHAPTER II
3/13

"Please do not distress yourself.

I believe the train is very crowded; you had better sit down again." The chilly lack of interest in his tones struck Diana with an odd sense of familiarity, but she was too preoccupied to dwell on it, and began hastily to collect together her dressing-case and other odds and ends.
"I'll find another seat," she said stiffly, and made her way out into the corridor of the rocking train.
Her search, however, proved quite futile; every compartment was packed with people hurrying out of town for Easter, and in a few moments she returned.
"I'm sorry," she said, rather shyly.

"Every seat is taken.

I'm afraid you'll have to put up with me." Just then the carriage gave a violent lurch, as the express swung around a bend, and Diana, dropping everything she held, made a frantic clutch at the rack above her head, while her goods and chattels shot across the floor, her dressing-case sliding gaily along till its wild career was checked against the foot of the man in the corner.
With an air of resignation he rose and retrieved her belongings, placing them on the seat opposite her.
"It would have been better if you had taken my advice," he observed, with a sort of weary patience.
Diana felt unreasonably angry with him.
"Why don't you say 'I told you so' at once ?" she said tartly.
A whimsical smile crossed his face.
"Well, I did, didn't I ?" He stood for a moment looking down at her, steadying himself with one hand against the doorway, and her ill-humour vanishing as quickly as it had arisen, she returned the smile.
"Yes, you did.

And you were quite right, too," she acknowledged frankly.
He laughed outright.
"Well done!" he cried.


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