As no answer followed, Jack started up the stairs. After having gone a few steps she called a second time.
Instead of Jean, however, Frieda appeared.
"Please don't make any noise," she admonished, "Peace is ill."
Jack ran up swiftly to where her sister was standing.
"How long has she been ill and why haven't you let me know?"
With a slight gesture of nervous irritability the younger of the two sisters drew away.
"Since yesterday, but not seriously so until to-day."
"Then why didn't you let me hear this morning? No member of my family has been near me all day. Do the others know?"
Frieda nodded.
"Yes, but I thought it best not to disturb you with the news. You are fond of Peace, I suppose, even if you do prefer a public career to the affection of your family. I knew, of course, that you were going somewhere this afternoon to address an audience and I thought you would wish not to have anything interfere even mentally with your speech."