She would have liked to say more on this subject, but experience had taught her that Bernardine was not to be trifled with.
"I don't know about being good friends," Bernardine said, "but I have a great sympathy for him. I know myself what it is to be cut off from work and active life. I have been through a misery. But mine is nothing to his."
She rose to go, but Mrs. Reffold detained her.
"Don't go yet," she said. "It is pleasant to have you."
She was leaning back in an arm-chair playing with the fringe of an antimacassar.
"Oh, how tired I am of this horrid place!" she said suddenly. "And I have had a most wearying afternoon. Mr. Reffold seems to be more irritable every day. It is very hard that I should have to bear it."
Bernardine listened to her in astonishment.
"Yes," she added, "I am quite worn out. He never used to be so irritable. It is all very tiresome. It is quite telling on my health."
She looked the picture of health.
Bernardine gasped; and Mrs. Reffold continued: