"She is still angry with me," she said.
"For giving her a husband? She's grateful."
"No, it isn't that. She can't get over my not doing what she wanted."
"You've done what she wanted too long. She's spoiled. She thinks she owns you."
"Of course it's hard for her," Alice murmured.
"Hard for her? It's just what she needed. What is she going to do about it I'd like to know?"
Alice looked at him with a wistful gravity.
"If I tell you a secret," she said in a low tone, "can I trust you?"
"Of course you can," was the answer. "I should think that by this time, after May's engagement, you'd know I can keep still when I've a mind to."
Jack's chuckle did not call a smile to her face now. She had evidently forgotten for the moment the need of keeping up a smiling appearance in public; her long lashes drooped over cheeks that had little color in them, and her mouth was grave.