“Sara di Corleone.”
It had cost Sara something to write that letter. It would bring back memories of joy and pain for her again to enter the courtyard.
CHAPTER XXX
KNOTS UNTIED
ON Friday afternoon at half-past two Barnabas took Pippa to feed the monkeys and other animals at the Zoological Gardens. It was by Miss Mason’s special request.
During the time that elapsed between their departure and four o’clock Miss Mason was distinctly restless. She began to sew at some fine white cambric into which she was putting her most beautiful stitches. When she had returned from Hope, Bridget had told her of a Secret that was to arrive in the spring—a secret which if it was a boy was to be called Oliver, but Bridget hoped it would be Olive. She and Jasper were beamingly happy.
Miss Mason put in a few stitches, but she found it impossible to sit still. She dropped the work into a basket, got up from her chair, and began to walk up and down the room. Then she would suddenly sit down and begin to sew again.
“I’m an old fool,” she said. “I can no more help interfering than I can help breathing, and yet I’m as nervous as a cat.” And she began to watch the clock anxiously.
It had just chimed the hour in its silvery tone when Sally opened the door.
“The Duchessa di Corleone,” she said. She had learnt the name by now.