Then: "Sometimes one has to do--even that." Kitty, discerning in his refusal another facet of that "something wrong" she had suspected, clasped her hands round her knees and faced him with deliberation.
"Look here, Peter, it isn't you to break a promise without some real good reason.

You say you can't come down to us at Mallow.

Why not ?" He met her eyes steadily.
"I can't answer that," he replied.
Kitty remained obdurate.
"I want an answer, Peter.

We've been pals for some time now, and"-- with vigour--"I'm not going to be kept out of whatever it is that's hurting you.

So tell me." He made no answer, and she slipped down from the Chesterfield and came to his side.
"Is it anything to do with Nan ?" she asked gently, her thoughts going back to the talk she had had with Penelope before the bridge party began.
A rather weary smile curved his lips.
"It doesn't seem much use trying to keep you in the dark, does it ?" "I must know," she urged.