"Not a bit. Probably it's not important. I'll call up this evening."
"Oh, if you would, dear! I'm really tired."
There was a pause, and then Nona questioned: "Have you noticed Maisie, mother? She's pretty tired too."
"Yes; poor Maisie! Preparing Cedarledge has been rather a rush for her, I'm afraid—"
"It's not only that. She's just been told that her mother has a cancer."
"Oh, poor child! How dreadful! She never said a word to me—"
"No, she wouldn't."
"But, Nona, have you told her to see Disterman at once? Perhaps an immediate operation ... you must call her up as soon as we arrive. Tell her, of course, that I'll bear all the expenses—"
After that they both relapsed into silence.
These domestic tragedies happened now and then. One would have given the world to avert them; but when one couldn't one was always ready to foot the bill... Pauline wished that she had known ... had had time to say a kindly word to poor Maisie... Perhaps she would have to give her a week off; or at least a couple of days, while she settled her mother in the hospital. At least, if Disterman advised an operation...