'Not to-day, Lyddy. Not till I'm in my own home.'
'But I may tell her you're here? I'll go down in time to meet her, and I won't go to chapel this morning. No, I'll stay with you this morning, dear.'
So it was arranged. And they cooked their dinner as they used to; only Thyrza declared that Lydia had been extravagant in providing.
'I see how you indulge yourself, now that I'm away! Oh yes, of course you pretend it's only for me.'
How could she be so merry? Lydia thought. But this smile was not always on her face.
The day passed very quickly. Lydia said she would go out whilst Thyrza was with the Grails; she had promised to see someone. Thyrza did not ask who it was.
When she came upstairs again the other had not yet returned. She was yet a quarter of an hour away. Then she appeared with signs of haste.
'I was afraid you'd be here alone,' she said.
'But have you had tea, Lyddy?'
'Yes.'