"Joan!" came Elizabeth's voice from the hall. "Joan!"
No one answered, and in a moment or two Elizabeth had come into the room. Joan and her mother were standing hand in hand, like two children.
Elizabeth said sharply: "Joan, we shall miss the train, are you ready?"
Joan let go of Mrs. Ogden's hand and stepped forward; she was deadly pale and her eyes shone feverishly. When she spoke her voice sounded dry, like autumn leaves crushed under foot.
"I'm not coming, Elizabeth; I can't leave her."
Elizabeth made a little inarticulate sound in her throat: "Joan!"
"I'm not coming, Elizabeth, I can't leave her."
"Joan, for the last time I ask you: Will you come with me?"
"No!" said Joan breathlessly. "No, I can't."
Elizabeth turned without another word and left the room and the house. Joan heard the door clang dully after her, and the sound of wheels that grew fainter and fainter as the fly lumbered away.