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Richard went to meet Mrs K. much nearer to her lodgings than usual. (As a rule when he was early he waited either in front of the playroom, or met Mrs K. at the corner of the road, which meant that he walked for a minute or two with her.) He was very excited because he had brought her a letter from his mother, asking her to make two changes next week, so that he could spend more time at home with his brother, who was coming on leave. He also asked Mrs K. what she had decided about the Sunday hours after the following Sunday, after which his father would have returned home. Richard was delighted when Mrs K. replied that she would change the times and would not see him on Sundays after the next one.1 He was obviously relieved about Mrs K.'s decision. He put his arm swiftly round her shoulder, saying that he was fond of her. He suddenly remembered that he had left the fleet at home; he said he had meant to bring it. (Usually when he did not bring the fleet he gave definite reasons for having left it behind, or merely said he did not feel like bringing it.) Richard noticed, after a quick glance, that Mr Smith was coming along the road and therefore would have met Mrs K. by herself if Richard had not been with her. Richard pointed this out casually, saying, ‘There is Mr Smith,’ but went on at once talking about the change of sessions.2