She started to embrace him, but saw at once it would be a mistake.
"Thank you, Joe," she said softly, and went into the nursery. It was so dark and quiet there. She had a cry.
CHAPTER XX
The next morning Emily Giles returned from a visit back in Ohio.
"How have things been going?" she asked. "Very well indeed," said Ethel, with a scarcely perceptible smile. She and Emily understood each other, though very little had ever been said.
"Mr. Lanier still working hard?"
"Yes, poor dear," said Ethel, "but it has been so good for him." And at that a look of grim relish came on Emily's sallow face.
"You know I'm getting to like this town," she remarked with a genial air. "I wonder what'll the winter be like?"
"Oh, I think we'll do nicely, Emily. I've quite a few plans in my head."
"I'll bet you have," said Emily. And she went to don her "uniform."