Evelyn did not answer.
"Aren't you glad to see me?"
"Of course I am. Haven't I said so? Don't you see I am? And you have brought beautiful weather with you, Louise. Was there ever a more beautiful day? White clouds rising up in the blue sky like great ships, sail over sail."
"My dear Evelyn, I have not come to talk to you about clouds, nor green trees, though the birds are singing beautifully here, and it would be pleasant to talk about them if we were going to be alone the whole afternoon. But as the nuns may come round the corner at any minute I had better ask you at once if you are going to stop here?"
"Is that what you have come to ask me?"
Evelyn got up, though they had only just sat down.
"Evelyn, dear, sit down. You are not angry with me for asking you these questions? What do you think I came here for?"
"You came here, then, as Reverend Mother suspected, to try to persuade me away? You would like to have me back on the stage?"
"Of course we should like to have you back among us again. Owen
Asher—"
"Louise, you mustn't speak to me of my past life."