Honorary Surgeon by Marjorie Moore Page B

asking, ” she added quickly.
    “ Don ’ t be silly. ” Veronica laughed, but there was little merriment in the sound. “ We may not have met for ages, but you are still the only real friend I ’ ve got. I couldn ’ t expect you to stay in the same house with us and not ask that question. You ’ ll guess sooner or later, so you may as well know from me. ”
    Mary laid her hand gently on her friend ’ s arm. “ Please, Veronica, don ’ t say any more. ”
    “ But I want to! Veronica turned her eyes for a moment from the road, and looked at her companion. “ I ’ m absolutely miserable. I ’ d run away tomorrow if I dared, but there ’ s Jeanette ... she ’ s the only thing that makes life worth living. I ’ ve made a mess of things, Mary, but I ’ m paying for it now. ”
    “ Veronica, I’ m sorry ...” There was a break in Mary ’ s voice. “ You never said anything definite in your letters ... I didn ’ t realize ...” She broke off, at a loss for words.
    “ Why should I tell you? You had enough trouble of your own, didn ’ t you? ” Veronica swung the car into the drive of Windyridge and drew up outside the entrance.
    “ Mary, don ’ t let ’ s mention the matter again. There is nothing anyone can do to help me, so it ’ s no good talking about things. It ’ s lovely having you here with me, and I ’ m determined to make the most of every moment. You won ’ t ask any more about it, will you? ”
    “ Of course I won ’ t. But, Veronica, if there is ever anything I can do ... anything ... you ’ ll tell me, won ’ t you? ” Mary took her friend ’ s hands and held them in hers. “ There is nothing I wouldn ’ t do to help you, darling, ” she assured her earnestly.
    “ Thank you, Mary; I think I knew that. ” She withdrew her hands, and opening the door, jumped out of the car. “ If ever I need your help, I promise I ’ ll tell you. Now let ’ s change the subject. ” She introduced a note of gaiety into her voice. “ We ’ ve a whole, perfect day to ourselves, and we ’ re wasting precious minutes. I ’ ll dash upstairs and collect two bathing suits. You wait for me here. ” As Mary watched the figure of her friend running up the broad stone steps, her eyes were misted with tears, and, despite the warm sunshine, she felt suddenly chilled. Veronica unhappy! Now she knew for certain that ominous fact to be true, it seemed unbelievable.
    Veronica rejoined her within a few minutes. “ Here are the bathing suits; I hope one of mine will fit you. ” She approached the car and threw a bundle of bathing things on the back seat, then opened the door and wriggled her slim body behind the steering-wheel. “ We ’ re about the same size; it ought to be all right. Do you know, this will be the first time I ’ ve bathed since I ’ ve been here! ” She turned the car round and drove again down the drive. “ I ’ ve put in some food too; thought we might fancy a picnic lunch. I couldn ’ t be bothered to wait for sandwiches to be cut, so I ’ m afraid it will be rather a scrappy affair, ” she explained with an apologetic laugh.
    “ What a grand idea! ” Mary exclaimed delightedly. “ I adore picnics. ”
    “ Don ’ t get excited, darling; it ’ s a pretty meagre one. ” Veronica pulled a face. “ Auntie dislikes being hurried; she expects a picnic to be ordered at least a week ahead! I just grabbed a loaf, butter, sardines, and ham. I hadn ’ t forgot t en you liked sardines, ” Veronica added. “ Do you remember that time we brought them back to school and ate them in bed? ” She burst into peals of laughter. “ Gosh, what a mess we made! ”
    “ We certainly did! I do hope you haven ’ t forgotten the opener this time. ” Mary joined in her companion ’ s laughter.
    “ I haven ’ t. I learned my lesson that night; I ’ ll never forget an opener again, ” Veronica declared. “ By the way, I ’ ve got some apples and jam tarts as well. ”
    “ I