She had wrapped herself in a yellow velvet housecoat with white swansdown at the throat and cuffs, and she was starry-eyed.“What do you think, Jane?” she exclaimed. “Max has agreed about Switzerland! We’re going—we’re actually going for Christmas!”If she had said Max had “given in,” it would have been nearer the point. Capitulation was written all over his face.“I’m so utterly happy!” Valerie rejoiced. “It will be something to plan for. My old ski things just won’t do. I must get hold of some catalogues. Jane, don’t you wish you were coming with us?”“Of course.”Jane’s voice sounded frozen. She could not look in Max’s direction because she knew he had given in against his better judgment. He did not want to go to Switzerland, and he did not want Valerie to go.Abruptly she rose from the table.“If you’ll excuse me, I must be on my way,” she said. “It’s after eight and I must be at Appleton Meirsk before ten.”“Always providing the road is open,”
