And all the time that still small Voice kept sounding in my ears: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock!"
I showed Arthur and Annabel Isabel's letter, and awaited their comments upon it.
Annabel was very indignant with Lady Chayford. "It is just like Isabel to begin bothering you about Frank at a time like this!" she exclaimed: "but she never did have any sense. As if you hadn't trouble enough, poor dear boy, without her trying to thrust Belgian refugees on to your shoulders as well!"
"I could not possibly have Frank here," I said.
"Of course you couldn't," replied my sister: "it would be most upsetting to you, with his likeness to Fay, and the way in which he has treated you, and all! I cannot conceive what induced Isabel Chayford to make such an improper suggestion. But she always was utterly inconsiderate of other people's feelings."
My sense of justice rebelled at this. "I don't think you are quite fair to her there, Annabel. Isabel may be unwise, but she is never inconsiderate."
"Well, at any rate, she used to be," retorted Annabel; "and what people used to be they generally are."
I could not deny the truth of this statement, broadly speaking: and I had not the spirit to point out that there might be exceptions.
"What do you think?" I asked, appealing to Arthur.
He was silent for a moment; then he said in his slow, grave way: "It is very difficult to judge for other people, and I agree with Annabel that had I been in Lady Chayford's place I should never have ventured to make such a daring suggestion. But I cannot help feeling that she is right when she says that it may be your one chance."