“She was the moving spirit in the whole of it, I'm certain.”
“My Godfreys! And she—and she—well, I guess maybe Serena'll be willin' to go back to Trumet NOW. She wanted to go before; 'twas only loyalty to that gang that kept her from goin'. She's sick of society, and sick of politics, and sick of Scarford. She said she'd give anything to go back to the old house and be comfortable same as we used to be; she said—”
“Daddy!” Gertrude seized his arm. She was strangely excited. “Did she—did Mother really say that?” she demanded eagerly.
“Sure, she said it! Twice she told me so.”
“And she meant it?”
“She acted as if she did. Course we both realized 'twould be hard for you, Gertie, but—”
“Go! Go and tell her about the election. Quick! quick!” She fairly pushed him from her. “Don't wait,” she urged, “go.”
Daniel was on his way when she called him back.
“I almost forgot, Daddy, dear,” she said repentantly. “I was so gl—I mean—well, never mind. What I want to say is that if you think the news will be too great a shock, if you think she is not strong enough to hear it now—”
Her father interrupted. “She's stronger than I've seen her for a fortnight,” he declared. “And one thing's sure, she won't rest till she does hear it. I shall tell her, and get it over.”