'Oh, but it can be made a very different house. It has fallen into such neglect. Wait till spring sunshine and the paperhangers invade the place.'
They issued into a main street, and after a little further talk, shook hands and parted.
That night, and through the Sunday that followed, Gilbert continued to suffer even more than his wont from mental dreariness; Mrs. Grail was unable to draw him into conversation.
About four o'clock she said:
'May I ask Lydia and Thyrza to come and have tea with us, Gilbert?'
He looked up absently.
'But they were here last Sunday.'
'Yes, my dear, but I think they like to come, and I'm sure I like to have them.'
'Let us leave it till next Sunday, mother. You don't mind? I feel I must be alone to-night.'
It was a most unusual thing for Gilbert to offer opposition when his mother had expressed a desire for anything. Mrs. Grail at once said: