“You’re horrid about her,” said Adele. “Besides, what has she done? You asked her and she came. You don’t rave at your guests for coming when they’re asked. You wouldn’t like it if none of them came.”
“That’s different,” said Marcia. “I shouldn’t wonder if she announced she was ordered complete rest in order that I should fall into her trap.”
Adele sighed, but shook her head.
“Oh, my dear, that would have been magnificent,” she said. “But I’m afraid I can’t hope to believe that. I daresay she went into the country because you hadn’t asked her, and that was pretty good. But the other: no. However, we’ll ask Tony what he thinks.”
“What’s Tony got to do with it?” said Marcia.
“Why, he’s even more wrapped up in her than I am,” said Adele. “He thinks of nothing else.”
Marcia was silent a moment. Then a sort of softer gleam came into her angry eye.
“Tell me some more about her,” she said.
Adele clapped her hands.
“Ah, that’s splendid,” she said. “You’re beginning to feel kinder. What we would do without our Lucia I can’t imagine. I don’t know what there would be to talk about.”