"But you show you hated me," she said, softening a little, and there was an under-note of pleading.
"You know very well I want you to be happy and to meet anyone you like. I've never wanted to quarrel. But I will not meet that man."
"I'll have him down here," she said, "and Alice Griffiths can do as she likes about coming down and anyone else who likes to come. I shan't go up to tea."
I turned away feeling better. I had quite counted on the wall having fallen down.
That evening Alice Griffiths came and was very happy at the thought of reunion with Naomi.
While she was taking off her hat I thought I would make a last attempt.
I ran downstairs and knocked at the door.
Naomi opened it.
She was drying a cup and her eyes filled with tears as she saw me.
"Oh, Naomi, do come up to tea."
"Dr. Felton has wired to say he is not coming; I won't go up to tea, but anyone who likes can come down," she answered.
I could not help it, her eyes were still on mine and full of tears.
I bent forward and kissed her.
"No," she said with fierce firmness and drawing back.
But I bent forward and made her let me kiss her.
She kissed me on the other cheek and turned away quickly.
But she would not come up—Alice and I went down after tea.
Alice claimed to be psychic.
"I can always tell 'atmosphere'," she said. "I always seem to be able to tell what sort of things are going on round me—what people are feeling and things like that," she said.
"Oh, do tell us what you feel. What do you feel here," said Naomi, quite bright again.
"Here," said Alice, pausing, and her face seemed to be drawing in the surroundings with all the air of a clairvoyant or medium, "here I seem to feel—conflict—Something has happened—there's been conflict here. It's over now but something must have happened in this room."
There was a pause.
Naomi looked at her with serious eyes.
"And what do you feel about my rooms," I asked, half laughing.
"All harmony and happiness there," said Alice, "but here a struggle—it has passed away but I seem to feel that it has been here."
"Oh, bother the occult," I said, "here they think too much of vibrations and dreams and visions and rubbish.
