I have not dared, Alice.

The publishers have been so very insistent that nobody should know, but I had to tell you and Margaret." "It made no difference anyway about me," said Alice, "since I already knew." "Margaret can be trusted too, I am sure," Annie said quickly.
"Of course." Annie looked at her watch.

"I must go," she said, "or I shall be late.

Isn't it really wonderful that I should write a successful book, Alice ?" "You are rather wonderful, my dear," said Alice.

Then she rose and put her arms around the slender white-clad figure and held her close, and gave her one of her infrequent kisses.