"I delivered your message, Eva, and they're all coming, but you'll have to excuse me."
Eva had not moved from the window and her figure in its long, loose, white kimono reminded Rachel painfully of that other dreadful scene in that same room. But now she turned her head languidly. "And Jim?" she asked.
"Of course he'll come."
The room was very still again; neither of the sisters moved or spoke; the little clock on the mantel ticked tumultuously; it raced with Rachel's heart.
Eva's voice broke the unearthly stillness. "You've been a long time coming to see us."
"I've been busy."
"Johnstone's just told me—that Charter's come back."
Rachel moved nearer to the big winged chair and laid her hand on the back. "Yes," she said slowly, "he'll be on duty here all winter."
Eva turned from the window and faced her, clasping her hands tightly together. She was very pale and her long, beautiful hair fell about her face and shoulders like a cloud of gold.
"Oh, Rachel," her voice trembled, "how hard it will be for you!"