"Hoped you were asleep." Henrietta came in. "Bill hasn't shown up yet. Perhaps we'd better go down to the dining room. Your train is so beastly early. Where's Charles?"
"Checking the trunks. He'll be in soon."
As they waited for the elevator, Catherine turned suddenly upon Henrietta.
"You know, Henry, I appreciate your not telling me what you think. I suppose you're disgusted, and you haven't said a word. Not since I told you we were going."
"Not disgusted." Henrietta thrust her eyeglasses between the buttons of her jacket. "I've been rather cut up about it. But it's your affair. I don't see that you could do anything else. Not now, at any rate."
"Perhaps some women could. I can't."
"Women can't alone." Henrietta sounded violent. "Not without men helping them. Being willing to help them. So long as their own affairs come first——"
The door of the elevator swung open.
"When Mr. Gilbert comes in, tell him we are at dinner. And Mr. Hammond, too."
"Yes, ma'am."