"That is a very pretty one," Miss Martha remarked in the silence that followed. She spoke to ease what she felt to be a tense situation. At the same time she winked at Edna, who had turned about to face her auditors. Sylvia's eyes remained hidden so Miss Martha continued:—
"There's something about those words that makes me think of 'Oh, Promise Me.' That's my favorite song. Do see if you can't remember it, Edna."
But the latter rose and came back to the fire.
"I must dry my hair," she said. "That's the drawback of not being a real mermaid."
She sank again on the rug near Sylvia.
The latter uncovered her flushed eyes and reached one hand down to Edna, who took it.
"If you hadn't—hadn't had anything," said Sylvia unsteadily, "you'd understand."
"I do," replied Edna; but she was mistaken. Though she pressed the hand very sympathetically she did not understand.
CHAPTER XX