Then presently Clare said: “I feel as if something were going to happen; as if something must happen or break.”
“About time, my dear,” said Madge. “How long have you been married?”
“Eight years,” said Clare, in a casual way. Madge Vernon whistled with a long-drawn note of ominous meaning.
“The Eighth Year, eh?”
“Yes, it’s our eighth year of marriage.”
“That’s bad,” said Madge. “The Eighth Year! You will have to be very careful, Clare.”
Clare was startled. “What do you mean?” she asked.
“Haven’t you heard?” said Miss Vernon.
“Heard what?”
“I thought everybody knew.”