“What name shall I say?”
“Tell her that her daughter has come, and wants to speak to her.”
“Will you please step in, ma’am?”
Clara desired the cab to wait, and entered the hall. A moment later Mrs. Ives came out.
“Clary, thank the good God you have come. I couldn’t keep it to myself another half an hour. There’s bitter, bitter trouble. Clary, I couldn’t have kept it to myself any longer without going mad, and Mrs. Posset can scarcely see from crying. Clary, what do it mean?”
“It means that I want to speak to you, mother, and immediately.”
Mrs. Posset’s stout form was now seen in the doorway of her parlor. Mrs. Ives turned and addressed her.
“My darter has come, ma’am,” she said, “and wants to see me on a matter of special business. There ain’t nothing surprising that ’appens nowadays, but ef I could see her alone for a few minutes it might be a convenience for all concerned.”
“You can see her in here,” said Mrs. Posset. She went out of the room as she spoke. Clara and her mother entered. Clara sank down panting on the sofa.
“Help me to take my cloak off,” she said. “I am not long for this world, but I want to unburden my soul before I go.”