Lady Ella had said no word for some time.
“I would be ashamed,” she said quietly, “if you had not done as you have done. I don't mind—The girls don't mind—all this.... Not when we understand—as we do now.”
That was the limit of her eloquence.
“Not now that we understand, Daddy,” said Clementina, and a faint flavour of Lady Sunderbund seemed to pass and vanish.
There was a queer little pause. He stood rather distressed and perplexed, because the talk had not gone quite as he had intended it to go. It had deteriorated towards personal issues. Phoebe broke the awkwardness by jumping up and coming to her father. “Dear Daddy,” she said, and kissed him.
“We didn't understand properly,” said Clementina, in the tone of one who explains away much—that had never been spoken....
“Daddy,” said Miriam with an inspiration, “may I play something to you presently?”
“But the fire!” interjected Lady Ella, disposing of that idea.
“I want you to know, all of you, the faith I have,” he said.
Daphne had remained seated at the table.