“I couldn’t think what had happened to you,” Francie whispered in the tiny hall so as not to wake Derek. “Where on earth have you been?”“I don’t know. In paradise, I think.”Rose’s eyes were like stars, and Francie thought: “Oh, God, she’s been and lost her heart to him.” Aloud she asked: “Have you been to a night club?”“No, we’ve been driving. I don’t know where. The Hog’s Back I think ... Oh, Francie, he wants me to marry him.”“But you hardly know each other!”“I know, that’s what I said.”“Have you accepted him?” Francie was aghast.“No, not definitely. I said I would have to think it over. After all, we know each other so little.”“But this is serious,” Francie said. “Let’s go into your room. We don’t want to wake Derek.”“Oh, it’s too late to talk,” Rose protested. She wanted to be left alone to savour her happiness.“You can sleep all the morning.”“No, I’ve got to give him an answer to-morrow. I shall have to think all the morning.”“Are you in love with him?”
