“She’s drored her stays too tight. I told her so this morning.” But she worked about her effectively and presently she struggled back, seeming to have forgotten for the moment what had stricken her.
“Have I had another heart attack?” she asked feebly.
“No.”
“I told you you were lacing too tight. I knew what would happen with these new stays and things.” She actually smiled at Stevens, a wan little smile.
“I feel rather seedy still.”
Peter took the cushion from her, made her lie flat. Then she said in a puzzled way, her mind working slowly:
“Something happened?”
There was little time to be lost and he answered awkwardly, abruptly:
“I brought you bad news.”
She shut her eyes and lay still thinking that over. She opened them and saw his working face and anxious eyes.