“What does she say?” said Mrs. McQuinch.
“I have not looked,” replied Elinor.
“Well,” said Mrs. McQuinch, plaintively, “I wish you would look. I want to know whether she says anything about this letter from your uncle Reginald.”
Elinor plucked the note from her pocket, tore it open, and read it. Suddenly she set her face to hide some emotion from her family.
“Marian wants me to go and stay with her,” she said. “They have taken a house.”
“Poor Marian!” said Jane. “And will you go?”
“I will,” said Elinor. “Have you any objection?”
“Oh dear, no,” said Jane, smoothly.
“I suppose you will be glad to get away from your home,” said Mrs. McQuinch, incontinently.
“Very glad,” said Elinor. Mr. McQuinch, hurt, looked at her over his newspaper. Mrs. McQuinch was huffed.