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When it ca sort of personw and then he said that the water was so choppy that he actually cast up his accounts over the side of the boat, and-- " Eloise scowled "You're not listening to me"wNo," Penelope admitted "Well, yes, actually, parts of it I cannot believe Colin actually told you he vomited"wWell, I am his sister"wHe'd be furious with you if he knew you'd told me"

Eloise waved off her protest "He won't mind You're like another sister to hihed at the sa to remain in town for the season," Eloise continued, "and--of course--he was terribly evasive, but then I decided to interrogate him myself--"wTerribly smart of you," Penelope murot him to admit to me that yes, he thinks he will stay for at least a few months But he made me promise not to tell Mother", that's not"--Penelope cleared her throat--"terribly intelligent of him If your mother thinks his time here is limited, she will redouble her efforts to see him married I should think that hat he wanted most to avoid"wIt does seem his usual ai that there was no rush, perhaps sheidea," Eloise said, "but probably more true in theory than in practice My mother is so determined to see him wed that it ular efforts are enough to drive hio doubly mad?" Penelope mused

Eloise cocked her head "I don't know," she said "I don't think I should want to find out"

They both fell silent for a moment (a rare occurrence, indeed) and then Eloise quite suddenly juo"

Penelope sht she had a habit of changing the subject frequently (and abruptly), but Penelope knew that the truth was soether When Eloise had her o Which I meant that if Eloise suddenly wanted to leave, it probably had to do with so aboutearlier in the afternoon, and--wColin is expected for tea," Eloise explained

Penelope shtwYou should come," Eloise said

Penelope shook her head "He'll want it to be just fahtly "Very well, then, I must be off Terribly sorry to cut my visit so short, but I wanted to be sure that you knew Colin was hoht Where does that wo her head in wonder "I vow soht to be frightened"wShe can't go on forever," Penelope co up to see her friend out "Soure out who she is, don't you think?"wI don't know" Eloise put her hand on the doorknob, twisted, and pulled "I used to think so But it's been ten years More, actually If she were going to be caught, I think it would have happened already"

Penelope followed Eloise down the stairs "Eventually she'll hed "And here I thought she was a

Eloise stopped and whirled around so suddenly that Penelope crashed right into her, nearly sending both of the down the last few steps on the staircase "Do you knohat?" Eloise dein to speculate"

Eloise didn't even bother to pull a face "I'd wager that she hasyour pardon?"wYou said it yourself She--or it could be he, I suppose-- has been writing the colu withouta mistake Do you knohat I think?"

Penelope just spread her hands in an iesturewI think the problem is that the rest of us are too stupid to notice her mistakes"

Penelope stared at her for a"Oh, Eloise," she said, wiping tears froood thing you do, spinster that I aether e are thirty and truly crones"

Penelope caught hold of the idea like a lifeboat "Do you think we could?" she exclai furtively up and down the hall, "Mother has begun to speak of her old age with alar about that?"wI' on her hand and foot"wOh, dear"wA milder expletive than had crossed wI love my mother," Penelope saidwI know you do," Eloise said, in a rather placating sort of voicewNo, I really do"

The left corner of Eloise's an to twitch "I know you really do Really"wIt's just that--"

Eloise put up a hand "You don't need to say any more I understand perfectly I--Oh! Good day, Mrs

Featherington!"wEloise," Portia said, bustling down the hall "I didn't realize you were here"wI'ave her an indulgent smile "I heard your brother is back in toYes, we are all overjoyed"wI'm sure you must be, especially your mother"wIndeed She is beside herself I believe she is drawing up a list right now"