Honorary Surgeon by Marjorie Moore Page A

of short hair there. ” Mary laughed. “ I suppose they consider a bun more dignified. Of course, I must admit it ’ s much easier to keep a cap straight when you have a bit of hair to fix it on. ”
    “ Well, wear a false bit, ” Veronica retorted. “ We ’ ll run into Oxford and have you shingled. ” She paused. “ Bother, today ’ s Sunday; we ’ ll go first thing tomorrow, ” she announced with determination. She slipped her arm through her friend ’ s, and together they made their way downstairs.
    Mary felt almost thankful when she learned, over the breakfast-table, that her host would be absent the following day on business, but she did not allow his presence during that long, indolent Sunday to spoil her pleasure. Veronica insisted that there was never anything to do on a Sunday, so, stretched out in deck-chairs in the shade, they passed the morning in an ideal state of laziness. Baby Jeanette was a constant source of joy to Mary, who adored children, and nursery tea was an unaccustomed delight. In the evening they played bridge, and after her third rubber Mary was quite ready for bed.
    Breakfast over the following day, the girls bade Aunt Bess au revoir and drove into Oxford. Veronica, still firm in her purpose, conducted Mary to a hairdresser ’ s, and, deaf to her protests, insisted that her hair be cut to a more fashionable length. Realizing the uselessness of argument, and secretly rather pleased at the prospect, Mary watched the silken strands of hair drop beneath the ruthless scissors.
    “ There now, isn ’ t that better? You look lovely! ” Veronica exclaimed with delight as Mary finally turned to face her friend.
    “ You like it? ” Mary stood in front of the mirror in silent contemplation. “ I suppose it ’ s alright, ” she announced doubtfully. “ I think I look ridiculously childish. I ’ ll have to scrape it back somehow for hospital. ”
    “ Damn the hospital! ” Veronica retorted. “ You won ’ t be there for another fortnight, so why worry? Anyway, it must be much cooler in this weather, and loads more convenient for bathing. Hurry up, we might have time for a bathe before lunch. I ’ ve only a little more ordering to do for aunt. ”
    “ It sounds a good idea. But where do you bathe here? In the river? I don ’ t care much for river bathing, personally. ”
    “ No, it ’ s much better than that! ” Veronica explained triumphantly. “ We ’ ve some friends a couple of miles from Windyridge; they ’ ve a wonderful pool, and I can use it whenever I like. ”
    Mary followed her friend into the street, and then into another shop. “ But won ’ t your friends mind your taking me there? ”
    “ Good heavens, no! In any case, there is no one to mind! The old lady hardly ever leaves the house, and her son lives in town and only comes down for a day or two occasionally. ” Veronica gave her order, and then rushed Mary into another shop. “ Let me see. ” She consulted a scribbled list. “ Yes, that will do; I can leave the rest till tomorrow. Let ’ s collect the car and go back for our bathing suits.
    Mary glanced at her friend ’ s profile as Veronica steered the small car through the winding lanes. Somehow she looked different this morning, more gay and irresponsible, the Veronica Mary remembered so well. She hadn ’ t been quite like that yesterday, but this morning she was almost her old self.
    “You’re very quiet. What are you dreaming about?”
    The question brought Mary back with a start. “ Nothing ... Does your husband often go to town on business ?”
    “ Quite a bit; he has to keep in touch with the London office while he ’ s on leave. Were you thinking about him?”
    The question was a direct challenge, and Mary hesitated before reply “ Yes, I was ... Veronica, are you happy? Almost before s he had realized the bluntness of the question, it was uttered. “ I ’ m sorry. I shouldn ’ t have asked such a thing. Veronica, forgive me for