She broke down utterly, and sobbed as if her heart was breaking. My arms were around her. Very long I held her, till she had sobbed some of the misery away.
After a long while she sprang free, dried her eyes, and said in her calmest every-day voice: "I am hungry."
"Shall I go downstairs and tell them, or ring?"
"Ring; Gabrielle will come. I don't want the others. Before you ring—"
"Yes?"
"Kiss me."
CHAPTER XXX: CARDBOARD
It was odd to see normal relations resumed next day at table. Abnormally normal indeed, for we were all a little too much at our ease, a trifle too friendly and natural. There was a chatting and a smiling, and a veritable phrensy of cruet-courtesy. It was "Do have another pancake, Mamma, they are so good today:" "now finish up the gateau, Suzanne, I don't think Louise ever made a better."