It was purely selfish, as she told herself with a twinge of honest self-contempt.

But what should she do without Penelope?
It would create a big blank for her if her best friend left her for a home of her own.

Somehow, the inevitable reaction of Penelope's marriage upon her own life had not occurred to her before.

It hurt rather badly now that the thought had presented itself, but she determined to ignore that aspect of the matter firmly.
"Well, I hope they _will_ come back engaged," she declared.

"Anyway, I won't say a word till one or other of them announces the good news." "Better not," agreed Barry.