‘And you—isn’t your health better since you have lived here?’ Adela asked.
‘I think so. But I never ail much as long as I have plenty of work to do.’
‘I am staying with a friend in London,’ Adela said after a pause. ‘I thought I might come to see you. I hoped you would still be in the same house.’
‘Yes, we are very comfortable, very,’ Emma replied. ‘I hope we shan’t need to move for a long time; I’m sure we couldn’t do better.’
She added, without raising her eyes:
‘Thank you for coming.’
Adela knew that constraint between them was inevitable; it was enough that Emma spoke with good-will.
‘If ever you should have to move,’ she said, ‘will you let me know where you go? I have written on this paper the address of my mother’s house; I live with her. Will you show me so much friendship?’
Emma glanced at her, and saw a look which recalled to her something she had seen in those eyes before.
‘I will write and tell you if we do move,’ she said.