Her head sank; she turned and walked aside.
'You're not angry with _me_, Emma ?' 'Not angry at all, Alice,' was the reply in a monotone.
'I must say good-bye now.

I hope you won t take on much.

And I hope Jane 'll soon be better.' 'Thank you.

I must go up to her; she doesn't like me to be away long.' Alice went before up the kitchen stairs, the dark, narrow stairs which now seemed to her so poverty-stricken.

Emma did not speak, but pressed her hand at the door.
Kate stood above her on the first landing, and, as Emma came up, whispered: 'Has he come ?' 'Something has hindered him.' And Emma added, 'He couldn't help it.' 'Well, then, I think he ought to have helped it,' said the other tartly.
'When does he mean to come, I'd like to know ?' 'It's uncertain.' Emma passed into the sick-room.