The elder girl felt the chill, the seriousness with which she received the card upstairs, return upon her suddenly, and she became aware that she could not, with self-respect, fight it any longer.
"If you thought that," she said gravely, "it was a curious thing to think.

But I believe I am indebted to you for one of the pleasantest things the papers have been telling me," she went on, with constraint.

"It was very kind--much too kind.

Thank you very much." Elfrida looked up, half frightened at the revulsion of her tone.

"But--but your book is delightful.