Unknown by Unknown Page B

importance.
    Ruth laughed. Her snap judgement of Emma had been of someone almost ill at ease with Adam, and even her utterance of his name appeared to have significance.
    'Shall we join them?' She might have known Emma for years, and Emma envied her that relaxed cheerful manner and the obvious fact that she was free from care.
    Emma didn't know why she said immediately, 'I hardly think that would be popular.'
    Ruth laughed. 'They have a great deal to discuss and arrange. . . I'm looking forward to Sunday.'
    Emma nodded and tried to sound enthusiastic. 'So am I. One can hardly carry on a conversation in a busy street. . .' But her thoughts were concentrated upon Ruth's words, 'They have a great deal to discuss and arrange.' The words that naturally followed were 'such as. . .' Yet wasn't it natural for two partners in a practice? Cases, problems. . . But what had they to arrange ? Unless, Emma told herself, it was an engagement party. In any case, it was no. business of hers. She came out of her reverie, aware that Ruth's gaze was upon her almost questioningly.
    'How did you like the Manor restaurant?' Ruth asked unexpectedly.
    So! Adam had told Ruth of their going, and Emma ridiculed herself for even thinking that he would do otherwise. Taking a woman out to dinner was an ordinary enough pastime. ;
    'Very much. It has atmosphere and is obviously well run.'
    Ruth nodded. Emma's voice was strained and, Ruth thought, she seemed distracted. The circumstances surrounding her life, Ruth reflected, were hardly conducive to merriment.
    Adam had put Ruth in the picture, so far as was within the ethics of his profession, when it came to the situation regarding the Sinclairs, so that she knew about Irene's agoraphobia and the tragic death of the parents. Obviously Emma's life was not an easy one.
    'We all like it,' Ruth enthused, 'but I mustn't delay you.'
    Emma criticised herself for the fact that she was grateful to escape.
    'Until Sunday,' she said lightly, and they parted.
    Emma found herself envying Ruth her obvious happiness and freedom. She recalled Adam's words when he had been discussing Ruth and how a certain Paul Knight would like to marry her. Marry: it was a word she only associated with other people, never herself, and she accepted the fact that Irene was like a child for whom she was responsible, curtailing freedom completely. She hurried over the thought that she had no real faith in Adam's ability to effect a cure, and that she was opposed to his theories in general.
    It struck her as she did her shopping, buying canapés, nuts, olives, that she was making Sunday an occasion. Yet why? Because the visit was pre-arranged and social, whereas previously Adam had been to the house 'looking in', or specifically to visit his patient.
    It was the first time since the accident that a newcomer, by way of Ruth, had been to the house, and she felt almost apprehensive on the actual Sunday morning when she arranged the various dishes and glasses in readiness for Adam and Ruth's arrival. She was acutely aware of Irene who seemed to be in a daze, following her about dog-like and saying grudgingly, 'We might be giving a party.'
    Emma was alerted with a sudden self-criticism. It struck her that subconsciously she was making the effort because Adam was coming and she wanted to show him that she could enter into gaiety if the occasion arose. The memory of the dinner haunted her and she felt that she had been a dull and somewhat truculent guest, while his formality at the end of the evening almost suggested that he had lost interest in the whole proceedings—probably, she argued, thinking he was mad to have wasted his time on her when he could have been with Judy Meyhew. As against that, no one forced him originally to ask her out to dinner, and he had been very persistent that she should join him.
    Irene gave a sudden gasp when the various bottles were set out on a silver tray.
    'We used to do this when Daddy and Mummy were here!' It was a