Marian drew herself upright, and gave Joan one look of unspeakable pain and reproach, then slowly left the room, just as Leo entered it. Joan sat down, suddenly finding herself unable to stand.
“Aunt Dulcibel would like to see you,” he began; and then stopped. “Why, Joan—”
She could hardly utter the words, “I can’t.”
“Joan, what has happened?”
“I don’t know—only—” Joan was shivering like an aspen, and as white as when she had first left the hotel. “Don’t ask, please. I can’t see mother. I’m going back to father.”
“Has Marian said anything to you about him?”
“No, nothing!”
“But she must have said something. You were not like this when I left you.”
“Oh, no; she is only—odd!”
“How? I don’t understand.”