"Aren't they?"
"Certainly, dear."
"Then why don't they 'dwell together in unity'?"
"Patience!" Mrs. Shaw stared down at the sharp inquisitive little face.
"Why don't they?" Patience persisted. If persistency be a virtue,
Patience was to be highly commended.
"My dear, who has said that they do not?"
Patience shrugged; as if things had always to be said. "But, mummy—"
"Go to sleep now, dear." Mrs. Shaw bent to kiss her good-night.
"All the same," Patience confided to the darkness, "I know they don't." She gave a little shiver of delight—something very mysterious was afoot evidently.
Out on the landing, Mrs. Shaw found Pauline waiting for her. "Come into your room, mother, please, I've started up the fire; I want to tell you something."