Ray nodded approvingly. Sympathetically, she said:
"Yes, dear. You'll feel better satisfied when she's with you. Besides she'll be a companion for you—especially when I'm married——"
Helen sighed and turned away her face so her sister should not see the tears that suddenly filled her eyes. Sorrowfully, she said:
"It will be terrible to lose you, dear. Of course, I'm happy over your marriage. It would be very selfish in me to want to stand in the way of your happiness. I'm sure I wish you and Wilbur every joy imaginable. But I shall certainly feel very lonely when you are gone."
The young girl looked closely at her sister. She realized that her sister was no longer the happy, contented woman she once was, and she readily guessed the cause. Helen had not taken her into her confidence, but she had ears and eyes. Living in the house in such close intimacy, she could not help noticing that the relations between the wife and husband were no longer what they had been. Guardedly she said:
"But you have Kenneth."
Helen sighed and was silent.
Ray looked up. More gently she said:
"Haven't you your husband, dear?"
Her sister shook her head. There was a note of utter discouragement and melancholy in her voice as she answered: