"And this first-aid business—you're simply wonderful! I've never felt such a duffer in my life!"
"You were splendid the way you plunged in! He'll be all right now, I think. It's you I feel worried about. You've been so ill. I must get help at once!"
Eden's hand was on Finch's heart. "It's beating more regularly. You're better, old chap? You know who I am?"
"Yes, Eden."
With a great effort he raised his eyelids again and saw Minny Ware standing straight and flushed, a dripping undergarment clinging to her rounded body, her breast still heaving from her exertions, her hair, like Eden's, plastered against her head. When she saw him looking at her, she smiled and said: "You naughty boy! I hope you're sorry for what you've done. Giving us such a fright!"
A shiver shook Eden from head to foot. She snatched up her dress and struggled, dripping as she was, into it. "I shall run to the house and get Mr. Vaughan as quickly as possible."
"No—no. Get Renny. He'd not like it if we didn't send for him first. Besides, he'll get here in half the time Maurice would."
She hesitated, disappointed. She had thought to come back with Maurice. The idea of missing any of the excitement, of losing any of the savour of being with these two males, half-drowned as they were, was intolerable to her exuberant femininity. She said: "I think it would be better to fetch Mr. Vaughan."
"Why?" Eden asked sharply.
"Because—he would take you straight to his house. You'd like that better, wouldn't you?"
"Telephone Renny—I'll have him take us to the Vaughans'. Please be quick, Miss Ware. This poor youngster is half-frozen—and I" He shivered and smiled.
"What a beast I am!" she cried. "I'll run every bit of the way!"
She did, and felt as though she could never tire, elated
