“I think every one feels that.”
“Well, of course I don’t know the ins and outs of it, only what’s in the papers, and I suppose there’s a lot more, but I felt that neither you nor I had much to do with that woman staying on here. However, I’ve my eye on a jewel of a girl now who will go anywhere. Do you suppose if those men agree there’ll have to be another inventory?”
“I’m afraid so, though we haven’t had time yet to do much damage. That French window was broken, but it’s been repaired.” She paused, while something drew her eyes to the hearth. “And there’s that jade image,” she added uncertainly; “but that’s Mrs. Millicent’s.”
“What jade image? I never saw one here. Where is it?”
“What’s left of it is in the fireplace.”
The stout little woman stooped and picked out an emerald splinter.
“My dear, what perfectly lovely stuff! Were you going to throw it away?”
“It’s Mrs. Millicent’s, and she asked to have the image destroyed.”
“And jade, too! How queer some people are! It’s very fashionable now, and there’s enough here to make some gorgeous ear-rings.”
The thought of the remodeled god with his cold fingers at her throat gave Edith an involuntary chill.