"Your school friend—Beatrice Major. You used to be always talking about her. By-the-by, I meant to ask you—are these Majors that have come to live here related to your friend? I'm told that they are delightful people."
Magda gasped. It was the last thing she had expected to hear from Pen. There was nothing for it now but to speak out.
"It's they—themselves!"
"Nonsense!"
"It is, Pen. Beatrice and her mother."
"Why in the world haven't you told us? Why, they have been here—months! We ought to have called at once."
"I did mean to tell mother. But I felt so sure you wouldn't like the idea of the house—Virginia Villa. You are always so particular."
"Particular! As if it signified about the house! Mrs. Major is a person who can live where she chooses. What does that matter? Why, all the county is calling on them. Really, Magda!—To let us wait and come in at the end, when we might have been the first to call! It is too bad!"
"I don't see how I could know! I was afraid you would keep mother from knowing them."
"The last thing I should do. But you never do understand! We only heard about them just before Merryl fell ill; and then of course we could do nothing."