Her one passionate desire was to get up and leave the place; to her intense relief she heard Aunt Anne's clear voice: "I think, Mrs.Warlock, we must be turning homewards.

Shall I send you those papers about the Perteway's Mission?
...

Such splendid work.

I think it would interest you." It was as though a hole had suddenly opened in the floor of the neat little drawing-room and they were all hurrying to leave without, if possible, tumbling into it.

There was a general shaking of hands.
Mrs.Warlock said kindly to Maggie: "Do come soon again, dear.