Lydia was hanging over the balustrade.
"Who was it?" she asked, as Anne went up.
Anne told her and because she looked dreamy and not displeased, Lydia asked:
"Nice?"
"Oh, yes," said Anne. "You've heard Farvie speak of him. Exactly what Farvie said."
Lydia had gone some paces in undressing. She stood there in a white wrapper, with her hair in its long braid, and stared at Anne for a considering interval.
"I think I'd better tell you," said she. "I've been to see her."
There was but one person who could have been meant, and yet that was so impossible that Anne stared and asked:
"Who?"
They had always spoken of Esther as Esther, among themselves, quite familiarly, but now Lydia felt she would die rather than mention her name.