Such a quiet afternoon. Rose turned off the highway, into the beach road; the bright sea lay before her, roughened by a frolic wind, and on its edge three or four little children played; their voices came to her joyous and clear. Their end of the beach had been described by the real estate agent as “the quiet end,” and so it was; their bungalow and the Morgans’ were the only ones occupied as yet, and even these two showed no signs of life to-day.
Rose entered the house. It was certain[Pg 392]ly not a good house to hide in, and she very soon discovered Nina in the bedroom with her hat on!
“I had a telegram from Mr. Doyle,” she explained, hurriedly. “He wants to see me about—something. So I thought to-day would be a good time to run into town.”
“That won’t do!” said Rose, severely. “You can’t treat me this way, Mrs. De Haaven! I want to know all about it.”
Nina turned and put both hands on her sister’s shoulders, looking steadily into her face.
“Rose!” she said. “Let me do this—my own way—alone. I’ve been such a useless creature. No! Please, darling, let me finish! I have been useless. I know you don’t mind, but—sometimes—Rose! I do so want to manage this all by myself. And I know I can!”
They were both silent for a moment.
“All right! Go ahead, darling!” Rose agreed at last. “Only don’t come back to-night. Stay in a hotel and come back to-morrow morning.”
“And leave you all alone?”
“The Morgans are here, and they’re enough. If you don’t promise not to come back to-night, I’ll—I’ll go with you!”