The rain plashed against the windows, a coal fell through the grate and dropped upon the fender.
“I wonder how Stacey feels,” said Sue. “Perhaps he is taking out another girl to-night. That ring was large, it will not fit a small hand; perhaps he sold it, you can always get three quarters the worth of a diamond, I have heard people say.”
Tessa’s lips were not encouraging, but Sue was not looking at her.
“Gerald has the wedding ring in his pocket; I tried it on this noon. I wanted to wear it to get used to it, but he wouldn’t let me. He is sentimental like you. I expect that he is really enjoying carrying it around in his pocket. S. G. L. is written in it.”
The rain plashed and Tessa worked; suddenly the door-bell gave a sharp clang, a moment later little Miss Jewett, in a waterproof, was ushered in.
“I had to come, girls. I hope I don’t intrude.”
“Intrude!” Both of Sue’s affectionate arms were around the wet figure. “Tessa is thinking of glum things to say to me, do sit down and say something funny.”
The long waterproof was unbuttoned and hung upon the hat-stand in the hall, the rubbers were placed upon the hearth to dry, and the plump little woman pressed into Tessa’s arm-chair. Moving an ottoman to her side, Tessa sat with her arm upon the arm of her chair.
“I’m so glad to see you,” Sue cried, dropping into her own chair. “What a long walk you have had in the rain just to give me some good advice. Don’t you wish that Tessa was going off, too?”
“Tessa will not go off till she is good and ready,” replied Miss Jewett, “and then she will go off to some purpose.”