“There are some honest ones—honestly come by.”
“I don't care how they are come by. Grudges 'is p'ison.'” She laughed, but her cheeks were hot.
“Do you know that Christine has been at death's door? Your mother heard of it—through Mrs. Bowen! Was that why you didn't show me her letter?”
“It was not in my letter from Mrs. Bowen.”
“I think she has known it some time,” said Moya, “and kept it to herself.”
“Mrs. Bowen!”
“Your mother. Isn't it terrible? Think how Chrissy must have needed her. They need each other so! Christine was her constant thought. How can all that change in one year! But she cannot go to Banks Bowen's house without an invitation. We must go to New York and make her come with us—we must open the way.”
“Yes,” said Paul, “I have seen it was coming. In the end we always do the thing we have forsworn.”
“I was the one. I take it back. Your work is there. I know it calls you. Was not Mrs. Bowen's letter an appeal?”
Paul was silent.