The other did not at once reply. With the bitterness of spears behind her eyeballs she saw again the strange indignation in her mother’s dying features. Then – at the very last, when the poor tongue could only babble senselessly – had Juley not been trying perhaps to leave her special word of truth with her children? Anyhow at this moment, just as the sisters were passing the steps of the Empire Theatre, Joanna came by the absolute knowledge that if she did not give Georgie the lie here and now their mother’s prayers had been in vain. In understanding and obedience therefore, she fell at her mother’s feet. She would do it.

She was afraid, however, horribly timid of Georgie.

“I don’t believe a single word of all you have said to-day.”

Painfully as these words were wrenched out, and appalled as Joanna was by their clumsiness and crudity, they were spoken distinctly.

But the elder merely looked at her younger sister, first in astonishment at this unexpected rudeness, then, seeing the quivering lips, in affectionate pity.

Later, when Georgie began soothingly and deliberately to speak of trifles, Joanna knew that she was being humoured – probably by her brother-in-law’s advice – as one in a morbid and overwrought condition.

IV

Joanna knelt by the hearth in the archway room, and piled up her fire between the hobs of the little dog-grate as high as she dared. It was bitter, cold January weather, and she expected Lawrence Urquhart in the course of the evening.

Since Juley’s death Joanna’s oft fading friendship with Lawrence had put forth fresh shoots. On her return from Glasgow he had appeared at her side with a quiet offering of understanding that could not be refused. As concerned love she believed (sometimes with a pang of which she was ashamed) that he had gone from her; but all the more readily did she admit and even cling to the new bond he had unobtrusively created. It was something different from the former spasmodic attraction, so that she no longer scrupled to make use of his steady kindness in any small practical ways which might relieve her extremity. Also he had become an acknowledged friend of the family. She often saw him now at Georgie’s house where he seemed to enjoy talking with Max. And more rarely he would come to Chapel Court.

Earlier that same evening Lawrence had been called to the Bar. And at his invitation Joanna had gone to see the ceremony in Middle Temple Hall.

Its baldness had somewhat disappointed her. From her perch in the high, cramped cage of the gallery she had watched the little doll-like figures advancing in wig and gown to sign the roll as their names were called, and she had hardly been able to distinguish her friend among them.