“Yes, we did truly,” said Ethel.
“We were certain you wouldn’t do it,” said Nesta. “We said: ‘She’ll have to give up, and why should she give up?’ That’s what we said; but Horace said you’d do it, if it was put to you strongly.”
“Put to me strongly?” said Marcia. “Oh, girls, I have had a long, tiring journey, and my head aches. Is this my room? Would you think me frightfully unkind if I asked you for a jug of hot water, and to let me be alone for ten minutes?”
“Oh dear, dear, but don’t you want us three in the room with you? We have such a lot to tell you.”
“Darlings, you shall come in afterwards. I just want ten minutes to rest and to be quiet.”
“Girls, come downstairs at once,” said Horace from below.
The girls hurried off, glancing behind them, nodding to Marcia, kissing their hands to her, giggling, bubbling over with irrepressible mirth. Oh, it did not matter to them; their prison doors were open wide.
“So,” thought Marcia, “they are going to put it all on me in the future, even Horace. Oh, how can I bear it?”