“No!” exclaimed Gudrun, in mock wonder.

“Oh!—I thought Winnie wrote it to you, in her letter!”

“Oh—yes—of course. But I thought perhaps it was only her own little idea—” Gudrun smiled subtly, indulgently. The sick man smiled also, elated.

“Oh no. It is a real project. There is a good room under the roof of the stables—with sloping rafters. We had thought of converting it into a studio.”

“How very nice that would be!” cried Gudrun, with excited warmth. The thought of the rafters stirred her.

“You think it would? Well, it can be done.”

“But how perfectly splendid for Winifred! Of course, it is just what is needed, if she is to work at all seriously. One must have one’s workshop, otherwise one never ceases to be an amateur.”

“Is that so? Yes. Of course, I should like you to share it with Winifred.”

“Thank you so much.”

Gudrun knew all these things already, but she must look shy and very grateful, as if overcome.