'
'You didn't see her, then?'
'Yes, I saw her. I don't like her.'
Poor Alice meant this to be soothing. Emma knew it, and smiled.
'I don't think she cares much after all,' Alice said to herself.
'But was that the message?'
'Only to tell you of it, Emma. There was something else,' she added
immediately; 'not exactly a message, but he told me, and I dare say
he thought I should let you know. He said that of course you were to
have the money still as usual.'
Over the listener's face came a cloud, a deep, turbid red. It was
not anger, but shame which rose from the depths of her being. 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.
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