Mrs. Winstone, who knew nothing of the correspondence, almost betrayed her surprise as the two approached her, and wondered if Julia really were going to turn out a woman. At all events she had shown taste in her sudden departure from sixteen years of inhuman indifference. The hostess greeted the one man present with warmth.
“So glad you could come, and so sorry I’m goin’ away. It would have been too jolly to know Charlotte’s brother. But I’m startin’ for my old home in the West Indies on Wednesday.”
“What?” cried Julia. “You never told me.”
“How very odd. But my nerves need a rest. Hannah and Pirie are goin’ with me.”
“To visit my mother?” gasped Julia.
“Rather not. Bath House has been rebuilt, in part. They are goin’ to take the baths for their gout. Any message for your mother?”
“Give her my love, of course.”
“Why not come along?”
“Well, you see, Aunt Maria, I am not quite casual enough, if I am English, to leave my party on a day’s notice.”
“So glad I’m not a leader. I always do what I want, without botherin’ about anybody else. Makes life so simple. How do, Hannah? Have you survived it?”