“Look here, Coral—you’ve got to come out with us.”
“Wouldn’t Justin be pleased!” said Coral, without moving.
“Of course he would,” Laura lied stoutly.
Coral winked.
It is difficult to be a Samaritan when the object of your solicitude winks at you; but Laura managed it.
“Where’s your hat?” she insisted. “It’ll do you good, a walk.”
“I know when I’m not wanted, thank-you,” said Coral, without expression. But Laura thought she understood.
“If you mean—because of us——” She blushed faintly, stumbling over her words, “There’s nothing—you needn’t—”
“Oh, I know that!” And again Carol’s instant comprehension of all that Laura was not herself sure she meant, was disconcerting. “But—” she hesitated; then, rapidly, not looking at Laura, “but Johnnie’s brother hasn’t much use for Johnnie’s wife, if you want to know—and he doesn’t care who knows it.”
“That’s not true,” Laura’s head went up. How dare Coral—Coral!—criticize Justin?