“I have had to be a lot on my own since Mama died,” Minella said. “Papa kept going to London because he could not bear the loneliness of the house without her.”
Connie did not speak for a moment.
Then she said,
“Your father would not want you to be here.”
“Why not?” Minella asked. “If he thought I was with you, Connie, or you were near me so that I could come to you if I was in any difficulties, he would be glad, I am sure he would be.”
Again there was a little silence, but Connie still had her back to her and Minella had no idea what she was thinking.
Then, because she felt embarrassed, she said,
“Listen, Connie, I don’t want to be a trouble to you. If you would suggest somewhere I could stay that would be respectable and, of course, cheap, I will look round on my own.”
Connie tur
