"Was it sex to say that?"
"No."
"Are you glad he is coming to-night?"
"Mr. Visigoth and I have business together, Zoe. We cannot sit around in public places and discuss matters. I'm reading Mrs. Blair's play to him. Go to bed now, dear."
"Mayn't I stay up?"
"No."
Her child looked up at her, chin cupped in her small hand and crystals of light out in her eyes.
"Please, Lilly—why do you cry?"
"Why, darling, I don't cry because of anything you are quite ready to understand. You know that, don't you, dear? There is nothing mother won't talk over with you as soon as you are ready to take it all in. That is part of her scheme for keeping life beautiful and free of rude shocks for you."
"But I do understand—Lilly."