"I wanted to come in for a little chat, Lillian. Do you mind if I braid my hair here?"
"Why, no, indeed. I am glad to have you. Sit down."
Helen drew a chair up close to the dressing-table, and seating herself, began slowly to plait her long soft hair. She put aside some light topic which Miss Stuart suggested, and spoke at once of the subject which lay nearest her heart.
"I am worried about Jean, Lillian. She does not seem like herself lately, and if it were not absurd, I should begin to think she was unhappy about something."
"Indeed." The response was so brief as to be almost an ejaculation. Helen's words accorded strangely with Miss Stuart's thoughts.
"Yes, and you don't know how unusual it is for Jean to be either irritable or moody. She has a very bright, sunny nature, and is particularly sweet-tempered."
"Perhaps there is something troubling her which you have not perceived."
Helen wrinkled her forehead thoughtfully.
"I am afraid there must be."
Miss Stuart darted a swift glance at her.