But Gloria wilted, and a sudden puckering of her lips threatened to break out in stronger emotion.
“But it’s really better for Jack not to have seen her mother,” Trixy soothed. “The doctor was here, and whatever he feared seems to have passed over,” she explained, trying to infect Gloria with her own smile. “Come on up and show Jane around. I’ll carry your bag, Janie,” she promptly offered.
“You see,” Trixy continued, doing her best to entertain Jane and at the same time to respect Gloria’s depression, “this is an off day. Those who aren’t finishing essays are working hard on tests. I’ve just been released.”
“And what about Glory? Could she spare all that while? I never did see such a talker as that woman,” declared Jane. “And such crazy stories! Though she had a way of makin’ you believe her, right enough. Glory dear, you look fagged out. Throw yourself right down on that couch and don’t mind Janey. My, what a pretty place you’ve got! I’m so glad you’re real comfy.”
Gloria stepped behind the curtain and made signs to Trixy. These interpreted meant “take care of her for a while.” Gloria’s face pictured her keen disappointment. Tears were swimming in her eyes, her lips trembled, she was plainly on the verge of a good cry.
“Come along, Janie, and let me show you around,” offered Trixy. “We’ll leave Glo to straighten up some of her neglected tasks. This is a good time to see our big study hall, and all the sacred nooks——”
“Glory dear, you’ll find the lavender in my bag. It always used to help your headaches and I’m afraid you are brewing one,” predicted the solicitous Jane. “There now, I’ll leave my things here on your bed, and look around with Beatrix. You know I must get a train back——”
“Don’t talk of going back,” Gloria managed to say. “You’ve only just got here. Don’t forget to show her the picture gallery, Trix,” she suggested. “Some of those old ladies may have been neighbors of Jane’s.” This was intended as a joke but it sounded more like a threat; Gloria’s voice was so tragic.
A few minutes later the storm broke. Prone on the bed, a sobbing form bore little resemblance to the usually vivacious Gloria.
“To lose it all for nothing!” she groaned. “Jack didn’t even need all my—precious morning. And I wouldn’t dare tell her—about—the necklace.”