When she entered the lounge, it was to find Miss Brent sitting upright upon the stiffest chair in the middle of the room. Miss Wangle and Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe were seated together in the extreme corner, Mrs. Barnes and two or three others were grouped by the window. The atmosphere was tense. Something had apparently happened. Patricia learned that from the grim set of Miss Brent's mouth.
"I want to talk to you, Patricia," Miss Brent announced after the customary greeting.
"Yes, Aunt Adelaide," said Patricia, sinking into a chair with a sigh of resignation.
"Somewhere private," said Miss Brent.
"There is no privacy at Galvin House," murmured Patricia, "except in the bathroom."
"Patricia, don't be indelicate," snapped Miss Brent.
"I'm not indelicate, Aunt Adelaide, I'm merely being accurate," said Patricia wearily.
"Cannot we go to your room?" enquired Miss Brent.
"Impossible!" announced Patricia. "It's like an oven by now. The sun is on it all the afternoon. Besides," continued Patricia, "my affairs are public property here. We are quite a commune. We have everything in common—except our toothbrushes," she added as an afterthought.
"Well! Let us get over there."
Miss Brent rose and made for the corner
